Dramatic Decrease in Preventative Pediatric Visits May Lead to Further Issues
Pediatricians at The MetroHealth System are seeing more than a 50 percent drop in child wellness visits
MetroHealth pediatricians have seen a significant decrease in the number of infants and children coming in for preventative visits and vaccinations and it’s raising concerns about children’s overall health.
Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that pediatric visits have dropped 60 percent across the country during this COVID-19 pandemic. At MetroHealth, we have noticed a similar decrease in childhood preventative visits.
“This is mostly because of families’ concerns about COVID-19 and parents worried about bringing their children to the doctors,” said Dr. Nazha Abughali, Chair of Pediatrics at MetroHealth. “We, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, want parents to know that avoiding getting necessary healthcare for your child may lead to an increase in vaccine preventable diseases and other health problems.”
According to the AAP, these are some of the issues that could arise if pediatric appointments are missed or delayed:
- Mental health problems in children and teenagers such as depression and anxiety.
- Flare-ups of certain chronic conditions like asthma, allergies and diabetes.
- Lower rates of immunizations to preventable and highly contagious diseases such as Measles and whooping cough.
- Delayed diagnoses of illnesses and developmental problems such as autism.
We are looking forward to seeing you and your children for a well child visit. Rest assured that MetroHealth is following all safety guidelines including wearing face masks, deep cleaning, checking temperatures, limiting visitors and social distancing in waiting areas.
If your child has a minor illness or other concerns, you might prefer to connect with your pediatrician by scheduling a telephone or video visit, both are widely available. MetroHealth is here for you and your child.
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.
