Getting your child the medical care they need is an essential part of your child's growth and development. We recommend you bring your child into Integrated Medical Group B & A Pediatrics, serving Pottsville, PA, and the nearby region, to see Gabrielle-Maxwell PA-C for a routine physical once yearly. Besides being recommended, in certain years, you need to have that physical for your child to attend school. So, what can you expect during this evaluation?

 Part of your kid's physical will include evaluating your child's weight, height, and vital signs. We'll compare their weight to their height and ensure they're growing properly.

We'll also look at your child's vitals, such as their blood pressure and pulse to ensure they're at normal rates.

As we're assessing your child at a physical in our Pottsville, PA, office, we'll listen to their heart and lungs. During this evaluation, we're looking to hear any wheezing, murmurs, or other similar issues.

 During your child's physical, we'll also look at your child's vision. They'll need to look at a chart with letters of varying sizes. Your kid will need to read each line to see which one they can see clearest. If your child is younger, we'll have them look at shapes rather than letters. If they have a potential vision deficit, we can refer them to an eye doctor. 

Your kid's physical will also include a hearing evaluation, which consists of your child listening to bleeds and identifying which side they hear them on.

 The physical will include a doctor assessing your child's reflexes. This is the famous "hammer" test, which uses a tool that our physician will tap on their knee with and then look for a response.

 A pediatrician will take a look at your child physically to look for any signs of a problem. For instance, our doctor will look at your child's posture. If your child is at an adolescent age, they'll need to undergo a check for scoliosis by having your child bend forward. Our physician will then look at the curvature of the spine.

 We'll also ask your child questions to assess your little one's health, such as how long they sleep and their current activity level. 

Integrated Medical Group B & A Pediatrics, serving Pottsville, PA, and the surrounding area, is home to Gabrielle-Maxwell PA-C, who can provide your child with a physical. This is an overall evaluation of your child's health and is needed for school, sports, and preventive care.