The Importance of Well Child Visits

Well-child visits play an important role in the health of your children. Marion, VA, pediatricians Dr. Anita Henley, Dr. Leesa Lawrence, Dr. Tara Etter, and Becky Ewald, certified pediatric nurse practitioner, explain how your kids can benefit from the visits.

Hearing and vision problems are detected

Signs of hearing and visions problems can be very subtle in young children. For example, your child may not be ignoring you when he or she doesn't follow your instructions, but might not be able to hear you clearly. Vision loss can often be mistaken for coordination or balance problems or even learning disorders. If vision and hearing issues aren't diagnosed and treated early, school performance can be affected, as can your child's abilities to excel at games or sports.

Hearing and vision screenings conducted as part of well child visits will ensure that any issues that your child has will be promptly diagnosed and treated.

Visits ensure children are up-to-date on immunizations

Is your child up-to-date on his or her immunizations? Immunizations prevent your son or daughter from developing a range of common childhood illnesses and diseases, including:

• Chicken pox
• Mumps
• Measles
• Meningitis
• Diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis
• Human papilloma virus
• Hepatitis A and B
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• Pneumococcal disease
• Haemophilus influenza type B

Vaccinations protect your child from developing the diseases, but also prevent the spread of the illnesses to children who are too young to receive immunizations or children who can't receive the vaccines due to health conditions.

Well child visits track development and growth

When your child receives regular well-child exams in our Marion office, we can track their growth and development from visit to visit and note any issues of concern. Early intervention is the key to ensuring that your child doesn't suffer lasting effects from developmental delays. Visits also provide the opportunity for you to discuss any questions you may have about your child's development, behavior or health conditions.

Protect your child's health with regular well-visits. Call Marion, VA, pediatricians Dr. Anita Henley, Dr. Leesa Lawrence, Dr. Tara Etter, and Becky Ewald, CPNP at (276) 783-8183 to schedule an appointment.