Newborn and Well Child Visits

Newborns are seen in the office within 1-3 days after going home from the hospital. At the time of discharge the physician will let you know when your baby needs to be seen. Please call our Independence Park location at (919) 477-2202 or our Highgate location at (919) 544-2049 to schedule this appointment as soon as you arrive home if this has not already been done while you were in the hospital.

Preparing for the Well Baby Visit

Throughout the 1st two years of life and yearly thereafter, we will schedule your infant/child for a routine well visit. Generally, unless a special request for a consultation visit is made, 15 minutes is allocated with the provider in addition to the 5-10 minute with the nurse before and after the provider visit. Because so much of that time spent with the provider is taken up with the physical exam, discussing developmental milestones, and anticipatory guidance, it is important for the remaining minutes to be spent judiciously with the important questions you may have. We encourage parents to make an organized list of their most important concerns. Should important concerns or medical issues arise that require more time, a follow-up visit or consultation visit will be arranged. In this way, parents and patients scheduled behind your visit will not have to wait for extended periods.

Well-Checks & Immunizations

WellChild	Check-Up	Immunization/Lab Test Schedule
		(Immunization schedules may vary according to new recommendations
3-5 Days	Yes	Hepatitis B (recommended in hospital before discharge)
4 Weeks	Yes	None
6-8 Weeks	Yes	Pediarix [combined vaccine of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), IPV (polio), Hepatitis B], Hib (Haemophilus influenza b), Prevnar (Streptococcus pneumoniae), Rotateq (rotavirus- oral vaccine)
4 Months	Yes	Pediarix, Hib, Prevnar, Rotateq
6 Months	Yes	Pediarix, Hib, Prevnar, Rotateq
9 Months	Yes	None
12 Months	Yes	Prevnar, Hepatitis A; hematocrit
15 Months	Yes	MMR, Varicella (chicken pox), Hib
18 Months	Yes	DTaP, Hepatitis A
2 Years	Yes	Hematocrit and Lead
3 Years	Yes	Start Hearing & Vision Screening
4 Years	Yes	Consider vaccines if going to kindergarten before next check-up
5 Years	Yes	DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella; Urinalysis and Hematocrit
6-8 Years	Yes
11-12 Years	Yes	Meningococcal (Neisseria meningitidis), Tdap, HPV (human papilloma virus -for females)
14-16 Years	Yes

TB test & lead level testing based on risk factors.
Physical examinations are recommended every 2 years between age 6 and 12.
Physical examinations are recommended yearly for adolescents.

We, the physicians of Regional Pediatric Associates, believe very strongly in the importance of on-time vaccinations to protect your children against these potentially fatal diseases. The CDC estimates that fully vaccinating all U.S. children saves 33,000 lives, prevents 14 million infections, and saves $10 billion in medical costs per year. Please refer to the links below for more information regarding vaccines and certainly do not hesitate to ask your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.

Center for Disease Control- 10 Things You Need to Know About Immunizations
American Academy of Pediatrics- Why Immunize?
Childhood Immunization Support Program -immunization information, check here for any recent recommended changes to the immunization schedule
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia frequently asked vaccine questions