Pediatrics
The Pediatric Clinic is an outpatient service at Naval Hospital Yokosuka. We serve eligible family members ages newborn to 18 years of age who are TRICARE Prime enrollees. We provide preventive care, care when your child is sick, and manage chronic diseases such as asthma and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. If your child requires specialty care, we’ll place a referral and work with the specialist to manage your child’s overall health.
Scheduling Appointments
Appointments can be scheduled two ways:
- Call the Central Appointment Line: DSN 243-5352; off-base, 046-816-5352
- Call Pediatrics Clinic*: DSN 243-5505; off-base,: 046-816-5505
*There may be delays in answering; we may be checking patients in to their appointments at the same time
Space Available Appointments
We can see patients who aren’t enrolled to our facility on a space available basis. This includes non-TRICARE, TRICARE Select, and Reservists not on active duty orders for 30 days or more. The number of available appointments will be posted that day on the hospital’s Facebook page; the phone line opens at 10 a.m.; call DSN 243-5360; off-base, 046-816-5360.
* Patients who’ve never been seen at a military hospital need to go to Medical Records before an appointment can be scheduled.
Military Health System Nurse Advice Line – Speak with a Registered Nurse 24/7
- Get evidence-based health care advice from a registered nurse
- Receive recommendations for the most appropriate level of care
Call DSN 94-888-901-7144; off-base, 0120-996-985 or 000-66-3382
MHS GENESIS Patient Portal
You can view health information, exchange secure messages with your care team, requests prescription renewals, view notes from your clinical visits, and certain lab/test results using the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. Any urgent or emergent questions should not be sent through the patient portal since it may take up to three business days for a response.
Common Illnesses
Fevers
What is considered a fever?
Fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature. A normal temperature is usually 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius. Most temperatures are considered normal they’re greater than 100.4° F or 38° C (rectal temp preferred in young infants). Fever is a symptom (problem), not a disease. A fever may mean there is something else going on in the body. Fever helps the body fight infections. It makes the body's defense systems work better. Fever can be caused by many conditions. The most common cause for fever is viral or bacterial infections, with viral infection being the most common.
How should I check my child’s temperature?
Your child's temperature can be taken many ways, but the best way is to take the temperature in the rectum or by mouth (only if the patient can cooperate with holding the thermometer under the tongue with a closed mouth).
How can I prevent my child’s fever?
- Generally, nothing can be done to prevent fever
- Avoid putting your child in the heat for too long
- Give more fluids than usual when your child has a fever; fever causes the body to lose more water
- Ibuprofen (if older than 6 months) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be given to reduce a fever. For dosage calculation based on your child’s weight, please see below.
Acetaminophen Dosing
|
Weight (pounds)
|
Children's Oral Suspension (160 mg/5 mL)
|
Jr. Meltaway Chew Tablets (160 mg)
|
|
6-11 lbs.
|
1.25 mL
|
--
|
|
12-17 lbs.
|
2.5 mL
|
--
|
|
18-23 lbs.
|
3.75 mL
|
--
|
|
24-35 lbs.
|
5 mL
|
1 tab
|
|
36-47 lbs.
|
7.5 mL
|
1.5 tabs
|
|
48-59 lbs.
|
10 mL
|
2 tabs
|
|
60-71 lbs.
|
12.5 mL
|
2.5 tabs
|
|
72-95 lbs.
|
15 mL
|
3 tabs
|
Ibuprofen Dosing
|
Weight (pounds)
|
Children's Suspension (100 mg/5 mL)
|
Chewable Tablets (100 mg)
|
|
12-17 lbs.
|
2.5 mL
|
--
|
|
18-23 lbs.
|
4 mL
|
--
|
|
24-35 lbs.
|
5 mL
|
1 tab
|
|
36-47 lbs.
|
7.5 mL
|
1.5 tabs
|
|
48-59 lbs.
|
10 mL
|
2 tabs
|
|
60-71 lbs.
|
12.5 mL
|
2.5 tabs
|
|
72-95 lbs.
|
15 mL
|
3 tabs
|
** Do not give Ibuprofen to infants under 6 months of age**
When should I seek medical attention for my child’s fever?
- Your child has a fever lasting greater than 3-5 days
- Your baby is 3 months old or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher
- Your child becomes fussy (irritable) or floppy
- Your child develops a rash, a stiff neck, or severe headache
- Your child develops severe abdominal pain, persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhea, or signs of dehydration
- Your child develops a severe persistent cough, shortness of breath, or sustained rapid breathing
Diaper Rash Treatment
- Change dirty diapers as soon as possible
- If possible, allow your infant periods of rest without a diaper
- Be gentle when cleaning the diaper area. Use water and a soft washcloth or baby wipes that are alcohol- and fragrance-free. If the rash is severe, use a squirt bottle of water to clean the area.
- Apply a barrier cream containing zinc oxide or petroleum with every diaper change. There is no need to remove all the cream with each diaper change.
- Seek medical care if the rash does not clear within 2-3 days after doing the above or if your infant develops fevers, blisters, or pus that drains from the rash.
Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
Conjunctivitis is commonly called "pink eye." Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, viral infection, allergies, or injuries. There is usually redness of the lining of the eye, itching, discomfort, and sometimes discharge. There may be deposits of matter along the eyelids. A viral infection usually causes a watery discharge, while a bacterial infection causes a yellowish, thick discharge. Pink eye is very contagious and spreads by direct contact.
How do I know if my child’s pink eye is bacterial or viral?
The signs and symptoms of bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can appear similar. Bacterial conjunctivitis is less common in children older than 5 years of age. These germs are contagious and spread from person to person.. The white part of the eye may look red or pink. The eye may be irritated, watery, or have a thick discharge. Viral conjunctivitis is caused by a virus and is also associated with a clear, watery discharge. If a discharge is present, there may also be some blurred vision in the affected eye.
What can I do to help my child’s pink eye and how can I lessen the likelihood of it spreading?
- Only have your child take medicine as told by your doctor
- Apply a cool, clean washcloth over closed eyelids
- Gently wipe away any fluid coming from the eye with a warm, wet washcloth or cotton ball
- Do not share towels or washcloths. This may spread the infection to others
- Make sure your child washes their hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based cleaner. Use paper towels to dry your child’s hands
- Change or wash your child’s pillowcase every day
When should I seek immediate medical care for my child’s pink eye?
- Your child’s eye is not better after three days of medicine (if prescribed)
- A yellowish white fluid (pus) is coming out of the eye
- The redness is spreading
- Your child’s vision worsens or becomes blurry
- Your child has eye/face pain or puffiness (swelling) around the eye
- Your child is older than 3 months with a fever lasting more than three days.
- Your child is 3 months old or younger, with a rectal temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher.
Could my child have allergic conjunctivitis?
Allergic conjunctivitis is common in people who have other signs of allergic disease, such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema. It is caused by the body’s reaction to certain substances to which it is allergic, such as:
- Pollen from trees, plants, grasses, and weeds
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Molds
- Contact lenses and lens solution
- Cosmetics
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is watery stool. The most common cause of diarrhea is a virus. Other causes include:
- Food poisoning
- Bacterial Infection
- A food intolerance, like lactose intolerance
- Too much juice/sugary beverages
What can I do to help with my child’s diarrhea?
- Have your child drink pediatric formulated electrolyte-containing fluids (such as Pedialyte). This can stop your child from losing too much body fluid (dehydration).
- Have your child drink enough fluids to keep the urine clear or pale yellow
- Avoid giving dairy products for a few days
When should I seek medical attention for my child’s diarrhea?
- The watery stool lasts longer than three days
- Your child has a fever >three days duration
- There is blood in your child’s stool
- Your child also has persistent vomiting
- Significant drop in number or amount of wet diapers or urine output
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