During the peak of the pandemic, many families canceled or postponed their child’s well visits with their pediatrician. Understandably, these decisions were made to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Now, as Emerson Hospital and your child's pediatrician's practice are safe and have many protocols in place to keep you healthy, it is essential for your child’s health to schedule their well visit.
As noted by the American Academy of Pediatricians, delaying well visits has resulted in delays of routine immunizations, appropriate screenings and referrals, and guidance to assure optimal health. The delay in immunizations can result in secondary outbreaks with vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Eshita Bakshi, DO, chair of pediatrics at Emerson Hospital, shares key reasons why well visits are critical to your child’s health. During well visits, your pediatrician screens your child for:
- Medical issues that can be easily managed when caught early — such as anemia, lead poisoning, and scoliosis.
- Hearing and vision abnormalities. If your child has an abnormal screen, they can be referred to a hearing specialist or vision specialist in a timely fashion.
- Mental health issues. This is especially important during the pandemic, when anxiety and depression rates among children and adolescents are high.
- Ability to participate in sports.
- Immunizations they are due for. They will also help your child catch up on immunizations they may have missed.
We encourage you to pick up the phone and call your child's pediatrician to schedule their well visit. While this year’s well visit may look a little different — your pediatrician and their staff will be wearing personal protective equipment — know that they are there for your family and they look forward to seeing you.
Health Works Here Podcast
Learn tips for keeping kids safe and having fun in the sun in this episode of Emerson Hospital’s Health Works Here Podcast.
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