Wednesday

12-02-2025 Vol 19

The Importance of Regular Pediatric Checkups at Every Age

Regular pediatric checkups, or Well Child visits, are an essential part of your child’s health and wellness. 

These routine visits allow the pediatrician to monitor growth and overall well-being, as well as administer exams, provide preventative treatment, and maybe even uncover potential health concerns before they escalate. 

This article explores the importance of regular pediatric checkups at every age. 

Monitoring Growth and Development

Pediatricians follow the growth and development of kids, from birth through college. They monitor factors such as height, weight, and developmental milestones, among others. This allows them to uncover and address any health issues, developmental concerns, or cognitive delays promptly. 

Seeing the pediatrician routinely makes it easier to monitor progression and take a proactive approach to health. 

Preventative Care and Immunizations

Immunizations protect your child against some of the most serious known diseases. They also work to help keep community immunity up, reducing the spread of harmful illnesses in great numbers. 

Pediatricians follow a vaccination schedule set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that will aid in giving your child protection at just the right time. How and when these shots are given will vary based on the particular vaccine. However, they are administered uniformly across the country. Having this designated schedule comes with so many benefits — and, most importantly, keeps kids healthy. 

While immunizations play a key role in preventative care, they are not the only part that matters. Proper nutrition, fitness, and hygiene are also very important. Pediatricians often provide tips and guidance to parents along the way as an additional means of helping to promote the child’s health and keep the immune system thriving.  

Early Detection of Health Concerns

Health issues and concerns can seemingly appear out of nowhere. With regular pediatric checkups, the doctor may be able to identify them before they get worse. 

With every visit, the pediatrician will perform a physical examination and age-appropriate screenings, such as checking vitals, routine blood work, or even vision and hearing tests. These may bring an unseen issue to light. 

Keep in mind that pediatricians like to make sure kids are doing well, both physically and mentally. As more awareness is brought to mental health, this has become something that physicians have started to pay better attention to, identifying any behavioral or emotional concerns that may be present. 

The right treatment and intervention for a diagnosis caught early can make it much easier for kids to embrace their body’s ability to heal.

Regular Pediatric Checkups for All Ages

Regular pediatric checkups are necessary for children of all ages. While great focus is often placed on the routine care of babies and young kids, don’t dismiss the need for teens to get these regular visits, too. 

A lot of growth and changes happen during the teenage years that warrant monitoring and a significant part of a pediatrician’s role is to ensure they hit their developmental milestones. 

If you are hoping for your baby, child, teen, or young adult to achieve optimal health and wellness at every stage, be sure to show up for regular pediatric checkups.  

Advocare Haddon Pediatric Group is a highly experienced team of pediatricians serving patients from birth through college. They have been an established leader in pediatrics for decades in the Haddon Heights and Mullica Hill areas of New Jersey. 

Sarah Ross