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Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Well Child Visits (Birth to 12 Years) [Read/Print full article]
About Well Child Visits
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We provide comprehensive care for children of all ages, from newborns through teenagers. In addition to caring for your child when he or she is sick, we also want to see your child for regular well child visits.
Well child visits focus on keeping your child healthy. We will check your child's growth and development, do a physical exam, and perform recommended screening tests.
Well child visits are also an opportunity for us to talk about how your child is developing socially and emotionally, and how things are going at school and at home. Together, we can address any questions or concerns that you have and work together to keep your child healthy
Screening Tests for Children
Regular screening tests can help us make sure your child is developing and growing normally. We typically perform the following screenings during your child's regular well visits (checkups):
Development – We will assess your child for signs of developmental delay and autism during the early toddler period. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's development, don't hesitate to talk to us about them.
Blood pressure – We will measure your child's blood pressure at every well check visit starting at age 3.
Hearing – All newborns have their hearing tested, usually before leaving the hospital. We will also check it periodically, as needed.
Height, weight, and BMI (body mass index) – We will weigh and measure your child at every visit. BMI is calculated starting at age 2 and can be used to help determine if your child is at a healthy weight.
For more information about BMI and how to help your child have a healthy weight, please review the "Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle" topic.
Vision – We will examine your child's eyes at all well-child visits, and screen for any problems (including near-sightedness). Vision screening is done periodically, usually before starting school and any time we suspect a problem.
Additional tests – We will recommend additional screening tests as needed, at certain ages. For example, if your child lives in an older house with chipped or peeling paint, he or she should have a blood test to check lead levels.
Other tests that fall into the "sometimes" category, depending on your child's age and circumstances, are for anemia (low blood iron) and lipids (cholesterol and other fats in the blood).
Learn More
For more information on any of the screening tests, we encourage you to review the information in our online Health Encyclopedia.
As always, feel free to send your child's doctor a secure e-mail with any questions or concerns about your child's health or development.
Scheduling Well Child Visits
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We usually recommend that you bring your child in for routine well child visits at the following ages. Note: Your pediatrician may recommend a slightly different schedule.
Newborns
All new babies need a visit during their first few days of life. If your baby was born at a Kaiser Permanente hospital, this appointment is scheduled for you.
Babies and toddlers
2 weeks
2 months
4 months
6 months
12 months
18 months
21 to 24 months
Preschool and schoolage children
3 years
4 to 5 years
5 to 6 years
6 to 8 years
8 to 10 years
10 to 12 years
Teens
Every 1 to 2 years, based on your child's doctor's or nurse practitioner's advice.
These visits help us make sure your child is growing and developing normally. Well child visits are also an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your child's health and well-being.
Scheduling Appointments
Families are busier than ever, with work, school, and family commitments. Once you know your schedule, contact us to set up an appointment with your teen's doctor that is convenient for both of you.
If your child needs a physical for sports or for camp, please schedule that appointment at least a week before any forms are due.
Online
You can use our website anytime to make, change, or cancel appointments for routine, nonurgent visits. To keep your personal information secure, you will need to sign on with your user ID and password before you can make or change appointments online. If you don't have a user ID or password yet, please register at kp.org.
By phone
Use our automated phone system to hear your pediatrician's available appointment times and choose one that's convenient for you. When you call the Appointment and Advice line, simply select the option and follow the prompts. You also can call your Kaiser Permanente facility to make or change appointments. You can find the phone numbers to call in our facility directory.
Whether you schedule online or by phone, you will need to have your child’s medical record number handy. This number is on your child’s Kaiser Permanente Health Plan card.
Before Your Well Child Visit
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Well care visits are an important way to keep your child healthy. These visits are also a great opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.
To make the most of our time together, please take a few minutes before your visit to do the following:
- Review our Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures information for your child’s age.
- Send me a secure message with questions or issues you want to discuss in advance of the visit and take note of any issues you want to discuss further.
- Complete a brief questionnaire about your child's health. Print the Health Questionnaire that matches your child's age range and fill it out.
| Child's age | Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Information | Well Check Health Questionnaire |
| 2 weeks | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 2 months | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 4 months | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 6 months | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 12 months | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 18 months | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 21 to 24 months | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 3 years | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 4 to 5 years | Health Information | Questonnaire |
| 5 to 6 years | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 6 to 8 years | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 8 to 10 years | Health Information | Questionnaire |
| 10 to 12 years | Health Information | Questionnaire |
Things to bring with you to your well child visit:
- Your completed health questionnaire
- Any forms you need filled out for school, sports, camp, or WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
- Your family history form, if requested
- Your child's Kaiser Permanente medical card and your photo ID
- Your child's immunization record
- Any medications your child takes regularly
Our electronic medical record tells us what has been prescribed, but only you can confirm what your child takes regularly. This includes prescription medications as well as over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, vitamins, herbs, or supplements.
We can talk about renewing your child's prescriptions during the visit, or if you already have a prescription, you can pick up a refill at the pharmacy while you are here.
Getting here
My office address, maps, and transportation instructions are included in "Offices and Directions." Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for parking and check-in. Please bring your child's Kaiser Permanente medical card and a photo ID, such as your driver's license, with you.
If you do arrive late, our receptionist may ask you to wait until I am available or ask that you reschedule. This will ensure that we can spend our entire appointment time together.
Additional References:
- PDF Link to Report of Health Exam for School Entry
- PDF Link to Athletic Screening Exam
During Your Well Child Visit
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With my Medical Assistant
Before you see me, you will meet with my Medical Assistant (MA), who will call you in from the waiting room, collect your questionnaire, and take your child's vital signs. My MA will also weigh and measure your child and bring you both to the exam room. If your child is due for vision or hearing screening, my MA will help perform those screening tests.
My MA will also ask if anyone in your household smokes. (As you probably know, secondhand smoke can cause health problems.) If you smoke and are ready to try to quit, we have many services that can help you quit.
For parents of teens: My MA will invite your teen back first to be weighed and measured and to complete a health questionnaire. It's important for me to have some time alone with your teen, to provide the very best care.
Your Preventive Health Prompt
When you register for an appointment, you will receive a printout that lists all of the preventive tests, screenings, and immunizations your child has had and when the next ones are due.
We will review your child's Preventive Health Prompt and take care of any immunizations or other services your child needs.
Your child's medical record
All of our exam rooms have computers with access to your child's medical record. My MA will enter the information from the health questionnaire you completed, along with your child's measurements and vital signs.
If your child needs lab tests, X-rays, or medicines, I'll usually order those while we are together. You won't need a paper prescription - just go to the laboratory, pharmacy, or Radiology department and present your child's card.
Growth and development
We will discuss your child's growth and development and address any questions or concerns you have about your child's health. If you are worried or wondering whether or not something is normal, please don't hesitate to ask.
Physical exam
I will do a physical exam, looking for any signs of potential problems. Please let your child know that he or she will be asked to undress for this part of the exam. Letting your child know in advance can help him or her feel more comfortable.
Healthy habits
We will check in to make sure your child is developing healthy habits. This includes nutrition and physical activity, sleep, and safety issues.
Your child's emotional well-being is an important part of total health, so I'll also ask about how things are going for your child at school, with friends, and for you and your family. Please feel free to talk openly with me about any difficulties so we can work together to support your child.
Finally, I may recommend a consultation or visit with another health professional, such as a specialist, if your child needs additional evaluation or treatment.
After Visit Summary
I will give you an After Visit Summary to take home. This handout offers you a review of our visit and includes your child's vital signs and measurements. I will also provide information and instructions about any follow-up tests, medications, or treatments we discussed.
You can refer to the After Visit Summary if you would like to review the information later. If your child is under 12, and you are both Kaiser Permanente members, you can also sign up to view this summary online.
Immunizations
If your child is due for immunizations, we will provide those at the end of the visit. We understand that getting shots can be stressful for you and your child, and we will work to make the experience as quick as possible. Please make sure you complete all the recommended immunizations that were discussed before you leave.
Additional References:
- External Link to Act for a Family Member
- External Link to Quit Smoking, We Can Help
- External Link to Preventive Services
After Your Well Child Visit
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After your child's appointment, if you have follow-up questions, please feel free to call me at my office in the Pediatric department. You can also sign up from my home page to e-mail me with nonurgent issues, whenever it is convenient for you.
Our Appointment and Advice line is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Test results
If your child had lab work or other tests done, I'll contact you with the results by letter, e-mail, or phone.
If your child is under age 12, you can also sign up to view most lab results online. You will receive an e-mail notification whenever new laboratory results are available. Because those results are available to you immediately, my comments and instructions will usually follow in a separate e-mail.
Specialist referral
If I referred you to a specialist and scheduled your appointment, you will receive an appointment reminder.
If we did not book the specialty appointment during your visit, the scheduler for that department will contact you directly to arrange an appointment.
Additional References:
- External Link to Act for a Family Member
- External Link to About Pediatric Specialists - American Academy of Pediatrics
Related Health Tools:
Interactive Programs
- New Baby? Follow us on Twitter New Baby? Follow us on Twitter
Newsletters
Podcasts
- Childhood Matters Childhood Matters
- Nuestros Niños (Spanish) Nuestros Niños (Spanish)
Videos
- Newborn Care Newborn Care
- El cuidado de su recién nacido (Spanish) El cuidado de su recién nacido (Spanish)
- Immunizations: Separating Fears from Facts Immunizations: Separating Fears from Facts
- Vaccines and Your Baby Vaccines and Your Baby
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.