At some point everyone asks ‘how long can my child see the pediatrician?’  The answer is that it depends.  First it depends on the child.  A few children stop wanting to go to ‘the baby doctor’ as young as 10 years old, but other children never want to leave because they are so comfortable with their pediatrician.  Second, it depends on the pediatrician.  Many will see children until they are at least through high school, but some go longer or shorter.  I will see children as long as they are in school, including college.  Sometimes children with chronic diseases will be seen longer, due to the complex nature of their medical issues.

Child development.

At this age most children are able to think through issues, and are often able to anticipate consequences of their actions.  They are, however, still prone to some impulsive behavior.  The brain doesn’t finish developing until about age 25, so continue to encourage your child to stay away from substances that may affect development at least until then.  

They can have a much better sense of self as separate from their family, and may develop more of a mature relationship with their parents.  Their relationships with friends, and especially girl- or boyfriends may take up a larger portion of their time and energy.  

While some children move off to college for more education, there are many others who don’t.  Some get jobs right away, go to trade school, or enter the military.  You can help your child by helping them figure out what works best for them.

Child growth.

Most children have reached their full growth by this point.  We still weigh and measure them every well check, and discuss variations. 

General health.

We continue to perform a physical exam, check vitals (blood pressure, heart rate, etc), and chat with your child about how their health and their life are going.  We may remind them about nutrition and exercise, safety, and discuss intimate relationships.   

Food and nutrition.

We continue to recommend a balanced diet, and family meals when possible.  

Health history.

Continue to keep your pediatrician updated on any urgent care, ED, or specialist visits.  This is also a good time to make sure your medical records are up to date and ready to be transferred to an adult doctor if needed.

Family history.

Any changes in family history are always appreciated to help make good choices about medical treatment.

Social history.

We’ll ask about where your child is living now, whether temporarily in a dorm, or permanently out on their own.  Who they are living with, if there are any pets, smoking are also important to their social history. 

Safety and health issues.

The basic safety precautions still apply; seatbelts in cars, helmets on bikes, don’t text while driving, don’t drink and drive, etc.  Your child should know that they don’t have to deal with intimate partner violence, and what to do if it occurs.  Also remind them how to deal with conflicts without violence.   

Vaccines.

At this point, most people only need a tetanus shot every ten years (five if they get injured).  A yearly flu shot is still recommended.