Services Offered

Annual Physical Checkup

Annual physical checkups and exams help to ensure that your child is growing and developing as they should. An annual checkup is performed to assess the growth and health of a child or adolescent. A complete physical exam will also be part of each checkup, and can help spot any issues before they become serious. Kids Choice Pediatrics offers comprehensive care from infancy through adolescence and works to educate parents on how to raise a healthy, loving child in addition to educating children on developing healthy habits. Our practice follows the recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care created by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and our providers strongly recommend that each child get a complete physical checkup every year till the age of 18.

Screenings at annual checkups for babies will include development, growth (including weight, length, and head circumference) and anemia checks. Screenings for children and adolescents include development, behavioral and mental health, school concerns, weight, height, BMI, blood pressure (for children three and older), anemia, lead, and vision, hearing, and cholesterol tests.

Developmental Screening

Developmental screening includes a series of tests and evaluations aimed at determining if your child remains “on track” in achieving specific developmental milestones with regard to physical, emotional and learning attributes. Screening can help uncover possible problems even before symptoms occur or at an early stage when remediation is simpler and most effective.

During your scheduled physical exams, we will ask parents to fill out an Ages and Stages Developmental screening questionnaire. Your physician will use this questionnaire to determine if your child is developing on schedule. Our practice is connected to a large network of specialists, should a child need to be referred for developmental concerns.

According to the Center for Disease Control, autism spectrum disorders affect roughly 1.5 percent of children. These disorders can cause issues with behavior and socialization that can have a measurable effect on a child's well-being. Autism symptoms frequently develop during the early stages of childhood. At Kids Choice Pediatrics, every child is screened for autism with MCHAT screening questionnaire at the ages of 9 months and 18 months. Autism and developmental screenings ensure that any symptoms present are investigated early on. Testing is then repeated as the child develops and can include parent/patient interviews and physical evaluations. Additionally, neurological tests, hearing and vision tests, and other forms of screenings may be recommended to establish a diagnosis or rule out other causes of abnormal behaviors or developmental limitations.

Sports Physicals

For many children, a physical is needed before they join a school’s sports team. A sports physical can provide the opportunity to keep an eye on your child’s growth and development, and also to make sure that any potential issues are treated right away. Sports physicals complement annual exams, the goal being to assess your child's readiness to participate in a sport. Each school district will have different requirements that will be addressed during the physical. Commonly, a vaccination record will also be required. This protects the overall health of the entire classroom, sports teams, and community.

Kids Choice Pediatrics provides comprehensive sports physicals for your athlete. Components of the sports physical are fitness assessments, risk evaluations, concussion screenings, scoliosis screenings, nutrition assessments, and sports advice; including safe practices, avoiding injury, and improving performance.

Vaccinations

At each physical checkup, your provider will discuss with you the vaccines that are recommended, why they are recommended, and any potential side effects. While some vaccines protect against multiple diseases, there are usually no more than three injections given at a single visit. At Kids Choice Pediatrics, all vaccines used in our practice are preservative-free.

Vaccines are one of the greatest successes in the field of medicine in the last century in terms of saving lives. They are responsible for virtually eliminating diseases like polio and rubella, and reducing by 99% the occurrence of hepatitis B and some types of bacterial meningitis. All vaccines go through a decades-long testing process before they are introduced to the general public, and their effects continue to be rigorously monitored after they are incorporated into the vaccine schedule. As children’s health advocates, our providers are strongly committed to following the schedule that is set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This schedule is proven to be safe, and is the most effective way of vaccinating all children.

Influenza Vaccination

Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly to young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions. Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza.

New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses. Because flu viruses evolve so quickly, last year's vaccine may not protect you from this year's viruses. After vaccination, your immune system produces antibodies that will protect you from the vaccine viruses. In general, though, antibody levels start to decline over time — another reason to get a flu shot every year.

At Kids Choice Pediatrics, we offer Influenza vaccines September through June each year and strongly recommend your child over 6 months of age to be vaccinated each year. We offer preservative-free Quadrivalent vaccines and Flumist (nasal spray for ages 2 and up). Call our office at (972) 359-7600 to make an appointment for flu vaccine today.

Asthma and Allergies

At Kids Choice Pediatrics, our providers have extensive experience diagnosing and treating asthma and allergies in patients in the North Texas area, using state-of-the-art techniques to determine the cause of symptoms and providing cutting-edge treatments to relieve symptoms and prevent more serious side effects like major respiratory problems.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes the linings of the airway to become extra sensitive to irritants, resulting in inflammation and constriction of the airways and excessive production of mucus, all of which can cause problems with breathing. Asthma can be triggered by irritants and allergens like dust, pollen and smoke, and it can also be triggered by temperature extremes and physical activity. Colds and other illnesses can also trigger as asthma flare-up.

Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to a trigger, like dust, pollen, smoke, mold, plant oils, detergents, foods or pet dander. Some medicines can also cause allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can cause respiratory symptoms which may seem similar to those associated with asthma, and they can also cause other reactions, including rashes, hives and digestive problems.

The only way to know for sure if your child has allergies or asthma is to be evaluated by a doctor. Asthma typically causes a wheezing or hissing sound during breathing, so your doctor will listen carefully to your child's lungs to determine if these sounds are present. In a few cases, asthma can occur even without these sounds, so careful evaluation as well as a review of symptoms and what your child was doing in the hours and moments before symptoms occurred is very important to an accurate diagnosis. At Kids Choice Pediatrics, our providers diagnose allergies by a simple blood test which can screen for most common environmental and food allergens in the Texas area we reside in.

Allergic symptoms like hives, runny nose and itchy eyes can be treated with antihistamines. Severe allergic reactions may require an injection of epinephrine. Asthma is usually treated with an inhaler used to deliver medication to open the airways and improve breathing.

Obesity Consultation

Childhood obesity is a serious health problem in North Texas and throughout the U.S.  At Kids Choice Pediatrics, we provide individual obesity consultation services to help children and their parents understand the causes of obesity so they can make important changes to improve health and wellness. An obesity consultation includes a comprehensive physical examination including a review of the child's personal and family medical histories to look for underlying issues that may be contributing to the condition. You and your child will also be asked about eating habits including foods choices, frequency of meals and snacks, and portion sizes, as well as physical activities, including organized sports and recreational activities. Lab testing may also be ordered. Based on all those results, a treatment plan will be developed that's based on your child's specific needs, and which may include healthy dietary changes, increased physical activity, or treatment of underlying medical conditions.

Obesity is determined using the body mass index (BMI), which is a ratio of the child's weight to his or her height. By measuring weight and height and determining a ratio, BMI provides a more standardized method of determining obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines childhood obesity as a BMI that is at or above the 95th percentile for children or teens of the same age and sex. That means 95 percent or more children of the same age and sex have a lower BMI than your child. “Overweight” is having a BMI that is at or above the 85th percentile but below the 95th percentile.

The two biggest factors contributing to obesity in children and in adults are poor dietary choices (including eating too much and eating foods high in fats and sugars and low in good nutrients) and physical inactivity. Other conditions can also cause or contribute to obesity, including some chronic diseases and genetic conditions. If your child is overweight or obese, having a complete exam and evaluation is the first step in determining the cause and prescribing effective and appropriate treatment options.

Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis

Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema in children can cause itching, irritation and even infection if not treated properly. At Kids Choice Pediatrics, our providers offer cutting-edge care for eczema, relieving symptoms while also reducing the risk of serious skin infections.

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes red, irritated and itchy patches of skin. These patches can easily bleed and crack when rubbed or scratched, making them a prime target for pathogens that cause serious skin infections. Sometimes, the patchy areas can weep or ooze and crust over. Without proper and continuing care, repeated rubbing and scratching can cause the skin in the affected areas to develop a hardened, leathery texture, a condition called lichen simplex chronicus.

In most cases, eczema can be diagnosed accurately with a simple visual examination of the skin combined with a complete patient history.  One of the best ways to prevent eczema flare-ups is to try to avoid certain exposures or “triggers”. That can include eliminating harsh or irritating soaps, shampoos and detergents, and avoiding hot showers or long baths. Using moisturizers regularly can also help relieve symptoms. For symptoms that are more severe, prescription oral or topical medications may be prescribed, and light therapy may prove beneficial.

Management of Chronic Conditions

At Kids Choice Pediatrics, our physicians and staff will help your family deal with the management of a chronic illness or condition such as diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, severe asthma, heart conditions, etc. Your doctor will oversee your child's care with any specialist or therapist. Our referral coordinator will help schedule the initial appointment and send over any lab results or medical records that they may require.

ADD/ADHD Evaluation and Treatment

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.  ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders. ADHD is a broad term, and the condition can vary from person to person. There are an estimated 6.4 million diagnosed children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  ADHD often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It may contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulty at school or work.  ADD/ADHD symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, difficulties following verbal directions, short/long term memory delays, cognitive distraction and difficulties initiating/completing written tasks.

At Kids Choice Pediatrics, Dr Akila Amsavelu and Dr Landon Huffman are available to administer diagnostic testing for ADD/ADHD and treat this condition appropriately. To determine a proper diagnosis for your child, you can expect the following: thorough questioning about your child's symptoms including length of time and problems caused by those symptoms, administration of ADD/ADHD tests—alongside a medical exam with one of our physicians to rule out any other physical causes of such symptoms. We require that your child stay up to date with annual well visits, quarterly weight and blood pressure checks while on stimulant medication for their ADHD.

Complementary Prenatal Visits

In an effort to find the right pediatrician for your child, we openly welcome you to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our board certified pediatricians. Many expecting parents, as well as families new to the area, take this opportunity to become acquainted with our staff and office policies.  Our Pediatricians have privileges to medically manage newborns in the nurseries at the following hospitals:

  • Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano

  • Medical City, Plano

  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center of Frisco

  • Baylor Scott & White--Centennial Medical Center

Vaccinations and Advice for Travel Abroad

If you plan to travel abroad or internationally it is possible that your kids will need additional vaccinations. Different countries have different health risks and may require specific vaccines.

For those of you that are planning to travel abroad, we offer vaccinations such as typhoid, meningitis, etc. that are required for specific countries. We also offer advice and medications such as anti-malaria medication, etc.

Most immunizations should be given at least 15 days before travel, so try to schedule a doctor's visit 2-4 weeks before your trip. This gives plenty of time for the vaccines to take effect, and allows for vaccines to be given over a period of days or weeks, if necessary. But even if you are leaving in less than 2 weeks, you should still make an appointment, as kids might still benefit from shots or medicines.

Physician on Call and Always Available 24 hours

We understand that emergencies can arise any time, and as new parents, you may have questions day or night. Whenever our office is closed (evenings and weekends) there is always someone to call if you have an urgent question. Simply call the office at (972) 359-7600, and listen to the message for the on-call physician or nurse contact information. One of our physicians is always on-call for emergencies. Please limit these calls to emergencies or urgent questions that you feel cannot wait until the following day.

Same Day Sick Appointments

We understand your situation when your child is sick, and the need to be seen the same day. Our phones are answered Monday through Friday at 8:30am. If you need an appointment that day, your child will be seen. And if that means we stay later or work through lunch, we are happy to do so. We will try to schedule you with your doctor. However, there will be times when your doctor is not available, but we will ensure you get an appointment with another doctor or the nurse practitioner so that you do not have to rush to an urgent care or ER.