Pediatric Clinic at VNA Health Care

VNA Health Care offers acute, chronic and preventive medical care to children from birth through age 21. We have 15 locations in the western Chicago suburbs where you can find care for your child.

What is Pediatric Care?

Pediatrics is the part of medicine that takes care of babies, kids, and teenagers. Doctors who work in pediatrics are called pediatricians. Family practice doctors treat both children and adults, so many work in pediatrics too. Some nurse practitioners can also offer these same services and work with doctors to make sure kids get the care they need.

Pediatric Clinic Services at VNA Health Care

VNA Health Care doctors and nurse practitioners manage your child’s physical and emotional well-being throughout every stage of development. They give routine care and play a role in the prevention and early detection of health complications. At the VNA Pediatric Clinic, we offer these services for your child:

• Deliver care during all well-child visits including vaccination services and screenings
• Conduct an annual exam or sports physicals
• Treat various health issues including illnesses, infections, and injuries
• Confirm your child is meeting all developmental milestones
• Assess for developmental delays, disorders, and behavioral problems
• Provide guidance regarding appropriate safety, nutrition and fitness needs for your child
• Refer your child for specialist care if necessary

How Often Should My Child See the Pediatrician?

It’s important for your child to visit the doctor regularly, even when they feel healthy. During “well-child checkups,” the doctor makes sure your child is growing well, learning new skills, and staying healthy.

Babies need to see the doctor more often, usually every few months during their first year. After that, it’s important to get annual check-ups for your child. Kids grow and develop quickly, and so do their health issues. Sometimes the doctor may want to see your child more often if they have special health needs. Regular visits help find any problems early and keep your child up to date on vaccines that protect them from sickness.

If you’re not sure when to schedule your child’s next visit, you can always call VNA Health Care and ask.

When to Take Your Child to the Doctor?

It can be hard to know when your child is sick enough to see a doctor. Kids can get many different symptoms, and you want to make sure they get the right care. Here are some common signs and when you should think about taking your child to the doctor.

When should I take my child to the doctor for fever?

A fever is when your child’s body is warmer than usual. It can mean their body is fighting an infection. If your child is younger than 3 months and has a fever, call the doctor or go to the clinic right away. For older kids, take them to the doctor if the fever is higher than 102°F (39°C), lasts more than 3 days, or if your child seems very tired, won’t eat, or is hard to wake up.

When should I take my child to the doctor for injuries?

Kids get bumps and bruises while playing, but some injuries need a doctor’s care. Take your child to the doctor if:

• Your child hurt their head and acts confused, vomits, or loses balance
• Your child has a cut that is deep or won’t stop bleeding
• A bone looks broken or your child can’t use a part of their body
• Your child has trouble moving, swelling, or is in a lot of pain after an injury

When should I take my child to the doctor for coughing?

Coughing can happen when your child has a cold or allergies. Take your child to the doctor if the cough lasts more than 2 weeks, or if they have trouble breathing, are wheezing, or coughing up green or yellow mucus. Go see the doctor if your child has a fever with the cough or if the cough is making it hard for them to sleep or eat.

When to take my child to the doctor for vomiting?

Vomiting can happen if your child has a stomach bug or ate something bad. It’s a good idea to call the doctor or go to the clinic if:

• Your child vomits many times in one day
• Your child cannot keep liquids down
• Your child has a fever on top of vomiting
• Your child shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears when crying, or fewer wet diapers)
• Your child is very sleepy or confused
• Vomiting happens with severe belly pain

When to take your child to the doctor for diarrhea?

Diarrhea means your child has loose or watery poop many times in one day. It can happen from tummy bugs or eating something new. Take your child to the doctor if diarrhea lasts more than a few days, if they have a fever, or if you see blood in their poop. If your child is very tired, not drinking enough, or has fewer wet diapers, go see a doctor to make sure they don’t get dehydrated.

Care For Patients From Birth To Adulthood at VNA Health Care

A VNA hospital liaison can visit you after the birth of your baby to arrange for your baby’s first visit with a VNA pediatric care doctor or nurse practitioner. At age 21, young adults continue receiving care at VNA with a family practice doctor or nurse practitioner.

Back to School Physicals and Checkups for Illinois Students

Illinois requires physicals for children before they attend daycare, preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade. The back to school months are the busiest time for checkups. Skip the line and schedule your checkup early with any of our pediatricians or primary care doctors. June is not so busy, July is busier and August is very busy. We also take walk-ins for checkups and physicals.

Watch the video to learn more about checkups for your child at VNA Health Care: