Well Child Exams
Pompeyo C Chavez, MD
Family Practice Personalized Care MDVIP at Premier Family Physicians serving Bastrop, Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas
An essential aspect of protecting your child’s health is regular well-child exams. Pompeyo Chavez, MD, offers membership-based, concierge-style care, including age-specific well-child exams starting at birth. To ensure a lifetime of wellness by scheduling a well-child checkup for your little one, call the office serving Bastrop, Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas or book an appointment online today.
Well Child Exams Q & A
What is a well-child exam?
A well-child exam is a regular age-specific physical, developmental, mental, and emotional assessment for your child's health.
From your child's birth, a well-child exam allows Dr. Chavez the opportunity to:
- Build trust with your child
- Assess their growth and development
- Evaluate their physical health
- Update their immunizations
- Assess their mental and emotional well-being
- Offer education and relevant resources
- Identify signs of disease or developmental issues
- Offer support to you as a parent
- Encourage healthy habits and lifestyle choices
A well-child exam is an integral part of quality preventive health care. As your family's MDVIP-affiliated physician, Dr. Chavez uses a well-child exam to get a complete picture of your child's health and tailor their health care plan to fit their specific needs.
How often does my child need a well-child checkup?
Dr. Chavez utilizes the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for well-child exams, including beginning newborn care within a week of birth.
According to the AAP, you should schedule well-child visits:
- Within a week of birth
- One month old
- Two months old
- Four months old
- Six months old
- Every three months from six months to 18 months old
- Every six months from 18 months to three years old
- Every year from four years old to 21 years old
Dr. Chavez may suggest more frequent visits to update immunizations, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
What happens during a well-child exam?
During a well-child exam, Dr. Chavez first discusses if you have any concerns about your child's health. He works closely with you to ensure you have every resource to keep them healthy during their childhood.
During your child’s exam, Dr. Chavez or a member of the team:
- Collects their vital signs, height, and weight
- Assesses their vision, hearing, and coordination
- Evaluates their ears, nose, and mouth
- Listens to their heart, lungs, and abdomen
- Observes their gross and fine motor skills
- Updates immunizations, if applicable
- Collects blood or urine, if needed
Dr. Chavez also evaluates your child for developmental or cognitive issues, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If he sees anything of concern, he works closely with you to create a plan of care that fits you, your child, and your family.
To schedule a personalized well-child exam, call the office or schedule an appointment online with Pompeyo C Chavez, MD today.