Introducing River Valley Pediatrics

 You would do anything for your child and that’s why it’s important track  your child’s growth and development to ensure a healthy future. The American Academy of Pediatrics has established a well-child visit  schedule that we use as a guideline for your child needs. During a  child’s early years they experience rapid growth and change. Many health  problems can also be identified and addressed during this time before  they become more serious. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your  child goes to each and every one of their well-child exams.                        

Telemedicine allows us to provide the same quality care and convenience  from your home. Our pediatrician can assess any child remotely, saving  you an unnecessary trip to our office saving you time, cost and reduce  the risk of catching a new illness. Diagnosis and treatment can be  accurately performed from anywhere, making patient care more convenient  and less hectic and upsetting for the children.                      

We work with children’s behavioral health such as ADHD, anxiety and depression.  At times, many children with mental health disorders  may not be diagnosed appropriately.

Primary care pediatricians have been identifying  children with emotional and behavioral disorders at an increasing rate because of an ever-increasing need. During well-child visits, it’s common practice  for  pediatricians to screen for potential mental health and behavioral  problems. By doing this, pediatricians can help ensure that all children are getting the care and support they need to live happy and  healthy lives. It's imperative to diagnose mental health disorders in  a timely fashion, and it is crucial for a child’s well-being and  safety. Having an undiagnosed mental health disorder can  impact a child’s life: at school, with friends, and at home. Here at River  Valley Pediatrics, we assist in every way possible so children and  families are not left without care.                       

Children tend to get sick more frequently than adults. This is because  their immune systems aren’t as strong and they have more opportunities  to come into contact with others who are sick if they attend school or  daycare. When your child does get sick, it can be hard to tell if it’s a  mild cold that they’ll get over quickly or signs of a more serious  illness. Either way, as a parent, you don’t want to take risks when it  comes to the health and safety of your child, so it’s best to consult  with a pediatrician right away.                      

Making sure your child is up to date with their vaccinations is one of  the easiest ways to ensure they’re protected from life-threatening  diseases. Diseases like polio and diphtheria are now rare in the U.S.  because of immunizations. Because children have weaker immune systems  and are more susceptible, it is suggested that they receive their immunizations before age 2. Around the age of 11 or 12, children should receive the HPV and Meningococcal vaccines. If you have questions or  concerns, please talk with your pediatrician about them, but don’t just  make the decision to not get your child vaccinated.                      

 Hospital emergency rooms are no longer the only places you can go when  your child has a medical emergency. If your child suffers a minor  emergency that is not life-threatening, bringing them to our clinic is  an option. This could be in case of superficial injuries, bruises, strains, ear pain, high fever, etc. As a parent, you will use your  judgment and gut feeling in any instance when a child is hurt. If you  feel the condition is an emergency such as breathing problems, seizures,  burns, newborn with fever, go with your instincts and go to the  emergency room.                      

Continuity of care for chronic disorders is a bedrock principle of the  patient-pediatrician relationship and is a fundamental attribute of  high-quality medical care. There is increasing evidence that continuity  of care for patients with chronic conditions reduces health care costs  and prevents hospitalizations. We focus on patients with chronic  conditions because they stand to benefit most from continue of care. A  pediatrician working in a busy clinic may encounter a number of patients  they have never met before. But in time, they become acquainted with  the patient’s previous history and develop a rapport. The patient  quickly learns to trust their pediatrician and wishes to see a familiar  face when being treated. It’s obvious that this long-term patient/doctor  relationship would result in better standard care.                                      

Going to a pediatrician for a sports exam is an easy way to make sure  that your child is ready and able to participate in sports, and might  even be a requirement from a school. During their visit, the  pediatrician will perform a variety of measurements and observations  pertaining to height and weight, blood pressure, vision, and health of  the lungs and heart. In addition to these standard physical assessments,  the pediatrician will also ask some questions about your child’s  health. They may inquire about previous injuries, allergies, and  previous hospitalizations. Even minor concerns can be of great  significance when a body is put under pressure.                                

 Although our pediatric clinic can handle many common illnesses and  ailments, if your child’s condition is life-threatening, you should go  to the emergency room immediately. Some examples of life-threatening conditions  include seizures, a high fever that doesn’t go away with medicine, loss  of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and severe allergic reactions.