Preventive Care Services

Our preventive health care goes well beyond just vaccinations and office visits, we have many innovative programs and screening tools that help identify early potential health threatening conditions. These visits and screenings are recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Preventive Services and Bright Futures. We feel these screenings and visit schedules are a vital part of caring for your child. A comprehensive well visit always includes a review of changes to both the patient’s and family’s medical history, including mental health and social functioning. We also review any changes to the family structure and/or environment and assess risk factors to health, safety, exercise, and diet, as well as situations that may arise in the family if that impacts the health of the patient. We are always interested in parent’s and patient’s concerns, even if they extend beyond traditional “medical” areas as we believe all aspects of a patient and their family impact the health of everyone. It takes a village.

Vaccinations

Disease prevention starts right at birth with Good Pediatrics commitment to establishing successful breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is your baby’s first vaccine! After that, we administer the AAP and CDC recommended vaccinations.

Vitamin K

All newborns receive a Vitamin K injection immediately after birth this prevents brain and other bleeding after birth and for the weeks following.

Newborn State Screening Tests

Before hospital discharge, your baby will have blood drawn for a panel of tests that can identify certain metabolic and inherited diseases.  The panel includes screening for thyroid disorders, cystic fibrosis, and other rare diseases.  This test is important as many of the disorders it identifies can be treated if known early in a baby’s life.

Hearing Screening/OAE

A newborn’s hearing is the same as an adult and therefore can be tested right after birth.  Children can develop hearing deficits over time and therefore Good Pediatrics uses our state-of-the-art OAE hearing test to evaluate all patients once a year from 3 years.

Cardiac Screening

In order to screen for life threatening cardiac defects after birth, a newborn’s upper and lower extremity oxygen percentage will be measured before discharge from hospital. 

Circumcision

Normally performed by your OB.  If not, at the newborn visit we will refer to Children’s Urology Group.  

Maternal Depression Screening

A newborns health is tied closely with the physical and mental health of its mother and family. For this reason, we administer the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Screening Test to mothers at the initial visit, 2 weeks, 1, 3, 4, and 6 months. If an issue is identified, we can refer you to a mental healthcare provider or to your primary physician.

Pediavision/Vision Screening

Good Pediatrics offers a state-of-the-art way of evaluating your baby’s and child’s vision long before they are developmentally able to cooperate with an interactive vision test. The test can detect refractive errors, amblyopia (“lazy eye”), strabismus (“cross-eye”), anisocoria (different pupil sizes) and media opacities (cataracts, irregularly shaped cornea/lens) as well as near or farsightedness. We offer it yearly starting at 12 months of age.

Dental Screening

As recommended by the AAP, Good Pediatrics does a dental screening and fluoride application on all children with teeth age 6 months to 40 months. 

Anemia Screening

Iron is an important element to help the developing brain and nervous system. We screen for anemia at 12 months,18 months and in menstruating girls. If your child is identified as having low hemoglobin, further testing might be warranted. 

Ages & Stages Developmental Screen

Good Pediatrics offers the Ages & Stages Development test to identify children with potential developmental delays. This test consists of a several page online questionnaire administered each preventative visit. If a delay is discovered, proper referrals for further evaluation will be arranged

Autism Screen (MCHAT)

Good Pediatrics utilizes the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers at the 18 mo & 24 mo visits to identify toddlers showing early signs of behaviors potentially associated with Autism. If a concern is raised, proper referrals for further evaluation are arranged.

PSC-17

The Pediatric Symptoms Checklist is a comprehensive screening tool designed to identify problems in mental health, attention, and behavior. It is given to parents of 6–11 year old and to the patient beginning at age 12 years.

Bloodwork Cholesterol/Lipid screening & Vit D

At 11 and 14 years old, as well as when nutritional deficiencies and/or abnormal
body mass index are identified, blood cholesterol & Vitamin D levels will be checked. These tests identify patients with inherited disorders of lipid metabolism and. or vitamin D 3 deficiency. Early identification of lipid disorders allows dietary treatment of this potentially life altering condition. Sufficient vitamin D3 levels are important for bone growth, immune and brain function.

ImPACT Concussion Test

The impact of concussions on athletes has recently been realized and several efforts have been made to decrease the poor outcomes, especially with repeated concussions. ImPACT baseline testing every 2 years for the athlete allows for a way to evaluate the head injury against the baseline and monitor for healing and safe return to play. The test is administered on a computer and takes about 30 minutes. Good Pediatrics recommends this for ALL young athletes over 11 years of age.

Adolescent Medicine

Good Pediatrics is strongly committed to caring for adolescents. During the teen years there are unique medical, mental, and social concerns. Starting at 12 years of age, a more in-depth screening helps identify and treat teen medical issues, risky behaviors, and depression. We also offer the HPV vaccine to 11-year-old girls and boys.

Contact Good Pediatrics today at (941) 955-7337 to learn more about our services and membership.