KidMed & Wellness Exams
A wellness exam is an annual comprehensive exam which includes growth, development and vaccines. They help track and protect your child’s health as they grow into an adult.
A Sports Physical Evaluation is a complete physical exam intended to ensure your child’s qualifications and safety while participating in sports.
Flu Tests
The flu is a viral infection affecting millions of people each year as it is passed from person to person. Flu symptoms often mimic those of other upper respiratory infections.
A flu test can help determine the type and severity of the flu virus, and may involve a throat swab, nasal swab or a nasal wash. For rapid testing, results are available within 15 minutes and patients can begin appropriate treatment to help relieve their symptoms.
Immunizations
While infants are protected from certain diseases at birth because of antibodies passed from the mother, this protection is temporary. Immunization from these diseases can be achieved through vaccination shots, which use small amounts of killed or weakened microorganisms that cause the diseases.
Some of the vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics include:
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Chickenpox
- Diptheria, tetanus, acellular petussis
- Hepatitis A
- HPV
Talk to your doctor to find out more about immunizations for your child.
Click here or the image below to see how babies can catch-up with their vaccine schedule.
Helpful links for parents:
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center
- National Network for Immunization Information (NNii)
- Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKID)
- Vaccinate Your Baby
- Voices for Vaccines
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a type of protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout the body and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Hemoglobin levels are important in maintaining the flow of blood throughout the body. Usually performed as part of a complete blood count, a hemoglobin test can help monitor and determine the severity of anemia or polycythemia.
Pulse Oximeter
A pulse oximeter (pulse ox) is a noninvasive device used to measure oxygen saturation within the blood without having to take a blood sample. This small device is placed on the fingertip or earlobe and can determine oxygen levels, as well as heart rate, within just a few seconds. A pulse oximeter is useful in constantly evaluating oxygenation in patients in critical care situations.
Urine Drip
A urine dip test may be performed on its own or as part of a urinalysis, and involves placing a chemical strip, known as a dipstick, into the urine to test levels of white blood cells, protein, glucose and other substances.
This test is often performed to diagnose a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, diabetes or other conditions, or may lead to more precise testing. The results of a urine dip test are available right away and can be discussed with your doctor.
Wart Removal
Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. Different warts respond to different treatments. Some go away on their own. Salicylic acid products (in the form of drops, gels, pads and bandages) can help self-treatment of many warts by dissolving the keratin protein that makes up the wart and the dead skin above it. Others can be removed via liquid nitrogen freezing or electrical stimulation. Surgery may be recommended for painful or large warts that do not respond to these treatments.
Lead Poison Testing
High levels of lead within the body can lead to stomach pain, headaches, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion and complications within the brain, kidneys and bone marrow. Children may be exposed to lead in house paint used in older buildings, or from contact with lead in the air, water or food.
Lead levels within the body are evaluated through a simple blood test. Blood lead tests should be performed on all children at age one year and again at two years, with additional testing performed for those who may have been exposed to lead.
Incision and Drainage
Incision and drainage, or I & D, is commonly used to treat abscesses or other fluid-filled lesions on the skin that do not respond to antibiotics or other more conservative treatments. During this procedure, a scalpel or needle is inserted into the lesion to drain the pus or fluid within. A piece of gauze is then placed so that the lesion can continue to drain and heal properly.
