Pediatricians focus on caring for children and adolescents under the age of 18 and have a deep knowledge of the growth, development and behavior of young children and can refer you to - and coordinate care with - a broad range of pediatric specialists.

At Novant Health, our areas of pediatric specialization include:

• Allergy and immunology
• Cardiology
• Developmental and behavioral health
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology and oncology
• Infectious disease
• Neonatology
• Nephrology
• Neurology and sleep medication
• Neurosurgery
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Psychiatry
• Pulmonology
• Sports medicine
• Surgery

During a child wellness visit, your pediatrician will typically perform a physical exam, check your child’s medical history and ask questions about his or her development and behavior. You can also expect your pediatrician to give your child any necessary vaccinations. They may also discuss illness and injury prevention, nutrition, physical activity and other health concerns, such as screening for any mental health-related behavioral issues.

To find and book an appointment with a Novant Health pediatrician near you, use our Physician Finder.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents bring their child to a checkup at least nine times in the first three years of his or her life, where you’ll begin vaccinations, assess growth and development, and build a close relationship with your child’s pediatrician. After these three years you’ll take your child to a pediatrician for annual wellness checks. If your child has difficulty breathing, a high fever or any other medical emergency, take your child to the nearest emergency room.

To schedule an annual checkup with a Novant Health pediatrician near you, use our Physician Finder.

Pediatricians perform a wide range of health services depending on their specialty. Generally, our pediatricians perform the following:

• Physical exams
• Vaccinations/immunizations
• Illness and infectious childhood diseases
• Minor injuries
• Health counseling
• Diagnosis and treatment of many common conditions, including flu, pneumonia and more
• Referring patients to different pediatric specialists, if needed
• Evaluation and treatment for physical, emotional and social development
• Inform you about your child’s nutrition, fitness, health and safety

For a more comprehensive list of services provided, please contact your pediatrician.

Our pediatricians treat a broad range of conditions for children. When you see your child's pediatrician for a condition they don't usually treat, they'll help by referring your child to a specialist.

Some of the most common conditions treated by pediatricians include:

• Cold and flu-like symptoms
• Rashes
• Infections
• Growth and developmental conditions
• Asthma and allergies
• Childhood obesity

Please contact your child's pediatrician for a more comprehensive list of conditions treated.

We want you to feel comfortable and confident about your child’s care, so we created a list of questions to ask your child’s pediatrician.

• Are my child’s growth and development appropriate for his or her age?
• Are there any vaccinations my child needs? How do they protect my child?
• Is my child up to date on all of his or her immunizations? Do I need to schedule any? When?
• How frequently should we be scheduling wellness checks?
• Do you take my insurance?

You can use these questions as a starting point, but feel free to add your own. Lastly, if your child has a specific condition, use your appointment as an opportunity to get more information about that condition or ask for a referral to a doctor who specializes in that condition’s treatment.