Pediatrics FAQs

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a series of well-child visits, including eight in the first year of life, five between 12 and 30 months of age, and annually thereafter.

Preparing for your child's appointment ensures you'll get the most value from your time with the pediatrician. Bring any relevant medical records (especially if you're new to Temple Health), an updated vaccination history, and a comprehensive list of current medications including dosages and frequencies. Additionally, many parents find it helpful to jot down specific questions or concerns (e.g., behavioral concerns, developmental questions, sleep changes, etc.)  that have arisen since the last visit. For younger children, bringing a comfort item like a favorite stuffed animal or small toy can dramatically improve their experience, keeping them calm and cooperative during examinations.

In many cases, yes. If your child is feeling unwell around the time of a scheduled well-child visit, Temple Pediatrics can often address both needs during the same appointment. However, be aware that addressing specific illnesses or new concerns during a preventive visit may result in additional charges to your insurance as these would be billed as separate services. Contact your pediatrician's office in advance to discuss combining these visits so they can allocate appropriate time and advise you on potential insurance implications.

Yes. Many parents use annual checkups as a chance to get sports clearance forms signed. Just let the office know ahead of time so they can include any necessary screenings.

Telehealth appointments serve as excellent options for discussing general health concerns, addressing follow-up questions, or reviewing laboratory results with your pediatrician. However, comprehensive preventive care typically requires hands-on physical examinations, growth measurements, and certain screenings that cannot be properly conducted virtually. Your Temple Health pediatrician can help determine which aspects of your child's care might benefit from convenient telehealth options while ensuring essential in-person evaluations aren't overlooked. Many families appreciate combining these approaches—using virtual visits for quick check-ins and reserving in-person appointments for thorough preventive assessments.

While the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics provide evidence-based vaccination schedules developed through rigorous research to optimize protection for children, Temple Health pediatricians understand that individual circumstances occasionally warrant adjustments. Certain medical conditions, previous adverse reactions, or temporary illness might necessitate customized timing of specific vaccines.

Requirements vary by state, but most include DTaP, polio, MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B for elementary school. Our electronic records system allows us to keep vaccination records updated and to work with you to follow your state’s or school district’s guidelines.

Your pediatrician’s office keeps a record of your child’s vaccinations. Ask for a copy or use the patient portal to review their immunization history. It’s also helpful to keep a personal record at home.

If your child has severe or life-threatening symptoms (e.g., difficulty breathing, high fever with severe symptoms, significant injury), go to the ER or call 911. For minor injuries or illnesses—like earaches, mild fevers, rashes, or minor cuts—urgent care can often address those issues. Note, however, that Temple Health also offers an after-hours nurse triage line, which can help determine if symptoms can wait until morning or require immediate attention. Additionally, many local pediatric practices offer early morning "sick visits" and Saturday hours specifically designed to accommodate urgent but non-emergency concerns. 

Absolutely—Temple Pediatrics prioritizes 24/7 accessibility through our comprehensive after-hours service, where experienced nurses or on-call pediatricians can evaluate your child's symptoms, recommend appropriate home care measures, and determine whether immediate medical attention is necessary. High fevers (particularly those above 102.5°F) warrant prompt communication with a medical professional who can provide personalized guidance. Our physicians understand that children don't schedule their illnesses during convenient office hours, which is why we've designed our care system to support families whenever health concerns arise. If you're unable to reach your pediatrician and your child shows signs of requiring immediate medical attention—such as difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, or altered mental status—never hesitate to visit the nearest emergency department or call 911.

It depends on the nature of the illness. Mild illnesses typically don’t prevent immunizations, but if your child has a fever or a more serious condition, your pediatrician may suggest waiting. Always check with your pediatrician’s office first. However, be aware that addressing specific illnesses or new concerns during an immunization visit may result in additional charges to your insurance as these would be billed as separate services. Contact your pediatrician's office in advance to discuss combining these visits so they can allocate appropriate time and advise you on potential insurance implications.

Many pediatricians manage common chronic conditions. However, some children benefit from a team approach involving both the primary pediatrician and relevant specialists, especially if the condition is severe or complex.

Distinguishing between viral and bacterial sore throats requires attention to specific symptom patterns that often serve as important clues. Viral sore throats typically develop gradually and come packaged with cold-like companions—coughing, congestion, runny nose, hoarseness, or even conjunctivitis. Meanwhile, strep throat tends to strike suddenly with intense throat pain, difficulty swallowing, high fever (often 101°F or higher), and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck. Remember that the only definitive way to confirm strep is through a simple throat swab test at Temple Pediatrics, which takes just minutes and ensures your child receives appropriate treatment rather than unnecessary antibiotics.

Yes. Pediatricians often diagnose and manage ADHD and can prescribe medications. They also collaborate with psychologists or specialists if more in-depth treatment is needed.

Keep an eye on milestones like crawling, talking, walking, and social interaction. If your child seems behind on several developmental checkpoints or suddenly loses a skill they previously had, discuss these concerns with your pediatrician.

Navigating picky eating requires patience, creativity, and a strategic approach that transforms mealtimes from battlegrounds into opportunities for positive food exploration. Rather than focusing exclusively on what your child eats at any single meal, consider their nutritional intake across several days or a week. This broader perspective often reveals a more balanced picture than daily struggles might suggest. Involve your child in age-appropriate food preparation activities, from selecting produce at the grocery store to simple cooking tasks, which significantly increases their willingness to try new foods they've helped create. Temple Health pediatricians can also provide personalized guidance about "food chaining," which is gradually expanding acceptance by offering variations of preferred foods that introduce new flavors, textures or nutrients incrementally.

Preventing childhood obesity requires a family-centered approach that establishes healthy habits early without creating anxiety or negative associations with food and body image. Start by modeling balanced nutrition at home—incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods, sugary beverages, and excessive snacking between meals. Rather than focusing on restrictions, emphasize exploration of nutritious foods through family cooking activities, colorful meal presentations, and positive mealtime conversations without pressure or food battles. Equally important is making physical activity an enjoyable, daily family priority—whether through neighborhood walks, playground adventures, dance parties, recreational sports, or active video games that get everyone moving together. Temple Health pediatricians partner with families through every developmental stage, offering personalized guidance about age-appropriate nutrition, activity levels, and screen time limitations while monitoring growth patterns at regular well-child visits to catch concerning trends before they become established patterns.

Temple pediatricians serve as crucial first responders for children's mental health needs. Our providers are specifically trained to recognize early indicators of anxiety, depression, attention difficulties, and other common childhood mental health challenges through thoughtful screening questions, developmental assessments, and observation of behavioral patterns. For mild to moderate concerns, your pediatrician can offer practical strategies, recommend evidence-based resources, and provide ongoing monitoring to support your child's emotional well-being. When more specialized care would benefit your child, Temple's integrated network facilitates seamless connections with child psychologists, psychiatrists, or therapists who collaborate closely with your pediatrician to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care that addresses your child's unique needs.

Absolutely. Temple pediatricians are uniquely positioned to help distinguish between typical back-to-school jitters and more significant anxiety that might benefit from intervention. A comprehensive evaluation considers physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, sleep disturbances), emotional responses (excessive worrying, irritability, fearfulness), and behavioral patterns (avoidance, clinginess, resistance) that might indicate underlying anxiety requiring support beyond normal reassurance. Your pediatrician can recommend age-appropriate coping techniques, collaborate with school resources to create supportive environments, and monitor your child's response to initial interventions. 

Building positive associations with healthcare visits requires thoughtful preparation and reinforcement from parents. Begin normalizing medical care early by reading child-friendly books about doctor visits, playing with toy medical kits, and discussing how physicians help keep bodies healthy. Before appointments, provide honest explanations about what to expect while emphasizing the positive aspects of growing stronger. During visits, acknowledge your child's feelings without amplifying anxiety. Phrases like "It's okay to feel nervous, but I'm right here with you" validate emotions while providing reassurance. Many Temple Health families find that establishing post-appointment traditions—whether visiting a favorite park, enjoying a special treat, or simply celebrating their bravery—creates positive associations that last throughout childhood.

Vaccine anxiety is incredibly common among children, but our experienced Temple Health pediatricians employ numerous effective strategies to ease these fears. Before the appointment, prepare your child with honest, age-appropriate explanations about what will happen, emphasizing that vaccines help keep their body strong and healthy. During the visit, our staff expertly employs distraction techniques—engaging stories, counting games, funny videos on a tablet, or even simple breathing exercises—that significantly reduce anxiety. Remember that your calm demeanor sets the tone. When parents remain relaxed and positive, children often follow suit during these brief but important moments.

Most pediatric offices can reschedule you or sometimes offer same-day or next-day appointments for urgent needs. Call as soon as you know you cannot attend, to free up the slot for another patient.

Temple Health participates in most major insurance plans. If you’re unsure of your coverage, call your insurance provider or the pediatric office directly to confirm coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

Yes. However, continuity is important, so ensure whoever brings your child knows the child’s medical history, current medications, and any questions you have. Written permission may be required for certain procedures.

Temple Health's longstanding commitment to accessible care for all Philadelphia families manifests through multiple programs designed to eliminate financial barriers to quality pediatric healthcare. Our financial counselors work individually with uninsured or underinsured families to determine eligibility for Medical Assistance, CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), or sliding-scale payment options based on family size and income, ensuring that financial circumstances never prevent children from receiving essential preventive and acute care services. Beyond insurance navigation, Temple's community health workers connect families with vital resources including food assistance programs, utility support services, transportation assistance, developmental interventions, and educational enrichment opportunities that address social determinants affecting children's health outcomes.

Your pediatrician serves as your child's medical home base and possesses extensive training to manage most childhood conditions. However, certain situations benefit from specialized expertise, such as persistent or complex symptoms that don't respond to standard treatments, conditions requiring specialized diagnostic equipment or procedures not available in primary care settings, or rare or complicated disorders requiring subspecialty knowledge. Temple Health's integrated network facilitates seamless connections between your trusted pediatrician and our specialists in cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, or other fields as needed. This collaborative approach ensures your child receives precisely the right level of care while maintaining the comfortable, ongoing relationship with their regular pediatrician who coordinates all aspects of their healthcare journey.

Pediatricians typically care for newborns through late adolescence (up to age 18 or 21, depending on the practice). Some adolescents transition to an adult primary care provider after their 18th birthday.

This varies by individual and practice policies. Many teens continue with a pediatrician until 18 or 21. Discuss your child’s readiness and needs with your pediatrician to decide the best time to transition.

Adolescents generally receive the Tdap booster, HPV vaccines, and meningococcal vaccines around ages 11–12. A meningococcal booster is also recommended at age 16. Your pediatrician can advise on timing.

These screenings are typically included in well-child visits. However, if you notice your child having trouble hearing you speak, squinting, or sitting very close to the TV, schedule an evaluation with your pediatrician.