Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

From a child’s first checkup through the teenage years, your family deserves care you can trust. Our Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine team at Mayo Clinic Health System provide comprehensive, compassionate care designed to support your child’s health, growth and development at every stage.

Our pediatric providers partner closely with parents and caregivers to create personalized care plans — whether your child is visiting for a routine well-child exam, managing a chronic condition, navigating mental or emotional health concerns, or recovering from illness or injury.

When specialized care is needed, we work seamlessly with Mayo Clinic experts to ensure your child has access to the right level of care, close to home whenever possible. Our goal is simple: to help children feel their best today, while supporting long term health into adulthood.

Find out more about our pediatric and adolescent medicine services:

• Conditions and consultations
• Diagnosis and treatments
• Pediatric and adolescent care specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine locations near you
• Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine specialists near you

Conditions and consultations

Our Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine team will collaborate with you to develop a personalized treatment plan for your child's healthcare needs, including guidance and support to promote the overall health and well-being of your child.

Conditions we treat include:

• Allergies and asthma
• Behavioral and emotional conditions, including attention, learning and social-emotional concerns
• Chronic health issues
• Complex and chronic pediatric conditions
• Developmental concerns and delays
• Diabetes
• Genetic conditions, including Down syndrome
• Infectious diseases, such as impetigo, influenza and whooping cough
• Mental health issues and disorders
• Minor illnesses, such as colds, sore throat and ear infections
• Musculoskeletal concerns
• Neurologic and neuromotor conditions
• Skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, burns and warts
• Sports injuries

Back to top

Diagnosis and treatments

Our expertise is in identifying, managing and treating a wide range of healthcare conditions with the goal of promoting the growth and development of your child.

Treatments we provide include:

• Allergy and asthma management
• Care coordination with pediatric and specialty teams when appropriate
• Developmental evaluations and assessments
• Diabetes management
• Gynecologic examinations
• Mental health evaluations and support
• Minor illnesses and injuries
• Newborn care
• Physical exams for schools, sports and camp
• Psychosocial and family-centered support services
• Reproductive health and contraceptive management
• Skin condition evaluations
• Sports physicals
• Therapy-based services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Vaccinations
• Well-child care and examinations

Back to top

Pediatric and adolescent care specialists

Your child’s care is supported by a dedicated team of pediatric and adolescent health professionals who work together to address your child’s medical, developmental and emotional needs at every stage of growth.

Our pediatric care teams partner closely with parents and caregivers to provide personalized, age-appropriate care — from routine well child visits and preventive services to the management of acute and chronic conditions.

Our specialists include:

• Pediatric physicians
• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Nurses

If your child has a complex or chronic condition, pediatric specialists work closely with your primary care team to coordinate care and connect you with additional services when needed. Specialty services and availability vary by location.

Find pediatric and adolescent medicine specialists near you.

Back to top

Referrals

You can make an appointment without a referral from your provider — simply call the appointment number of your preferred Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine location.

If your child has a complex health issue that requires specialized pediatric care and treatment, your primary care clinician will provide the referral to the appropriate specialized pediatric service.

Back to top

FAQ

What if my child needs care today and their pediatrician isn’t available?

If your child has an urgent health concern and their pediatrician isn’t available, Mayo Clinic Health System offers several same‑day care options to help you get the right care at the right time.

For children ages 3 and older, Primary Care On Demand is often the most convenient option. This virtual care service connects you with a Mayo Clinic physician 24/7 using your mobile device and is available evenings, weekends and holidays. It can be a good choice for many common pediatric concerns when in‑person appointments are unavailable and is often available in under 30 minutes.

Your child’s care team will have access to the same medical record, helping ensure continuity of care across visits

When should I consider urgent care or in‑person care instead?

For conditions that need to be evaluated in person but are not life‑threatening, Urgent Care may be appropriate when available in your community. Urgent Care locations and age requirements vary by location, so availability may be limited.

If your child has severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

How can I decide which care option is best?

If you’re unsure where to start, you can:

• Use Primary Care On Demand for many common symptoms in children ages 3 and older
• Contact your local clinic to ask about same‑day pediatric appointments (availability is limited and first‑come, first‑served)
• Call our Nurse Line to talk through symptoms and get guidance on the most appropriate next step

Mayo Clinic Health System offers multiple ways to get care so families can make informed decisions when care is needed quickly.

What are the recommended vaccinations for my child?

Disease prevention is crucial to your health. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to maintain good health, and protect you and those you care about against infectious diseases. Vaccinations offer protection against serious diseases by stimulating the immune system to create antibodies against certain bacteria or viruses.

Get vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic, including benefits, safety, side effects and what to know about recommended vaccines for babies, children, teens, adults and during pregnancy. For recommended vaccines based on age, refer to the adult or child and adolescent schedules.

Use your patient portal account to self-schedule a COVID-19 vaccination or call your local clinic.

Review the history of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccines timeline for information about major disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, and the impact of vaccines and research.

What should I expect during my child's first appointment, and what should I bring?

Your child's first appointment in Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine will include a full medical history evaluation. Please bring your child's current medical information, including vaccination records and a list of medications from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form (PDF) to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

Can a teenager attend an appointment without a parent or guardian?

A parent or guardian should accompany teenagers younger than 18 to the appointment. If this is not possible, the parent or guardian must complete and sign the Consent to Treat Unaccompanied Minor form (PDF) before the appointment. View our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

Do you offer virtual visits?

Virtual visits are offered in addition to in-person visits. Both may be scheduled through the patient portal, the Mayo Clinic App or by calling your preferred Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine location.

What is a Child Life Program?

A Child Life Program provides emotional, educational and developmental support to help children and families cope with healthcare experiences. Certified child life specialists are trained in the developmental impact of illness, injury and hospitalization and work alongside the care team to reduce stress, fear and uncertainty for children and their families.

Child Life services and availability vary by location. If Child Life support is available at your child’s location, a member of the care team can help you learn more or connect you with available resources

How can child life specialists help my child?

Child life specialists support children by helping them understand and manage medical experiences in age‑appropriate ways. This may include:

• Preparing children for surgeries, procedures or medical visits using developmentally appropriate language and visual aids
• Teaching coping techniques such as distraction, comfort positioning and breathing exercises
• Using medical play to help children understand procedures and reduce anxiety
• Encouraging emotional expression through play, art, music or conversation
• Creating opportunities for normal play and activities to support healthy development in healthcare settings

Are Child Life services only for pediatric patients?

Child life services may support pediatric patients as well as children of adult patients. Specialists can help children understand a loved one’s diagnosis or treatment plan and offer support for coping with separation, grief or changes related to an adult’s illness.

Should I be concerned about my child’s development?

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, pediatric therapy may be helpful. Pediatric therapists work with infants, children and families to support growth, development and daily function at home, school and in the community.

They focus on helping children build skills, confidence and independence in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.

Where is pediatric care provided?

Most pediatric and adolescent care is provided in a clinic setting, including well‑child visits, illness and injury care, and ongoing management of health concerns. When a child’s condition requires hospitalization or more advanced support, pediatric specialists coordinate care in the appropriate setting.

Services, treatments and care settings vary by location.

Do you have an after-hours number in case of emergency?

Always call 911 in case of an emergency. For after-hours help with other issues, get virtual care 24/7 through the Primary Care On Demand app or review our convenient care options.

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options.

Back to top

Explore locations or providers near you for details on high-quality pediatric and adolescent medicine care:

Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.