Childhood is an extraordinary time. You’ll never grow as fast or learn as much as you do in the first 18 years of life. Pediatricians across the Sutter Health network see hundreds of thousands of children and teens each year, which means that they really do get it. They understand the many questions and situations you’ll face that require easy access to fast, accurate and expert medical advice. Through extended office hours, pediatric walk-in urgent care clinics, 24-hour phone advice, same-day appointments and secure electronic messaging through the My Health Online app, the support you need is always close at hand.

General pediatrics involves preventive care and treatment of common conditions in three distinct patient groups: babies, children and adolescents.

Newborn and Baby Care

From the moment a baby is born, pediatricians are on hand to help watch over your little one. Healthy babies are examined in the hospital, at a pediatric office visit a few days after coming home and every few months after that through the first two years of life. (See our recommended checkup schedule.) Your doctor will carefully monitor measures of growth and development, as well as provide important preventive care, including vaccinations.

Toddlers Through Age 10

As babies graduate into toddlers, they are off and running – literally!

Pediatricians offer routine well-child checkups to monitor growth and development, vaccinations, and disease management for toddlers and children with specific chronic conditions like asthma. We also provide screenings for hearing loss, vision problems and scoliosis.

Preteens and Adolescents

Our care teams understand the changing needs of pre-teens and adolescents. As part of wellness exams for this age group, we also screen for behavioral health concerns that can be triggered at this time, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse.

Teen health exams may include discussions on:

• Healthy eating and staying physically active
• Fighting and violence
• Sex and sexuality
• Safety and driving
• Smoking, drinking and drug use
• Sadness and stress
• Skin care and acne
• HPV vaccination and sexually transmitted disease education

At age 12, patients also become eligible for their own modified online personal health record where certain portions of the record will be shared with parents/guardians and certain portions will be just for the teen and his or her doctor. Learn more about My Health Online for Teens.

Special Programs

General pediatricians work closely with specialists in all facets of pediatric care to work as a comprehensive team. (Learn more about our pediatric specialties.) A few examples of programs include:

• Allergy and Asthma Management — Individual longer appointment and follow-up visits to help your child understand asthma and allergy triggers, how to take prescribed medications properly, and ways to function normally during the day and get a good night's rest.
• Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles — We offer programs to encourage children and their families to exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet. We also provide pediatric nutrition counseling and weight management programs. 
• Prediabetes and Diabetes Management — A chronic disease management approach that incorporates nutrition services and classes, ongoing follow-up care and services tailored to both children with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
• Adolescent Behavioral Health Programs — We work with you to evaluate your child’s behavioral health issues and develop an age-appropriate treatment plan. This may include family therapy, individual or group counseling, or medication. Depending on the diagnosis, your child may receive treatment through an outpatient program, partial hospitalization or inpatient hospitalization. Emergency services are available as needed.