Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to our Insurance page to review a list of accepted insurance providers.

Our routine health maintenance visit schedule follows the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine guideline for children.

To help protect your child from many serious infectious diseases, we follow the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please discuss your immunization questions and concerns with any of our pediatricians.

When Does Your Child Have a Fever?

• Rectal, Forehead or Ear temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
• Oral (mouth) temperature: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher
• Under the arm (armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher
• Caution: Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age

Where to Take the Temperature

• Rectal temps are the most accurate. Forehead temps are the next most accurate. Oral and ear temps are also accurate if done properly. Temps done in the armpit are the least accurate. Armpit temps are useful for screening at any age.
• Age under 3 months old (90 days old). An armpit temp is the safest and is good for screening. If the armpit temp is above 99° F (37.2° C), re-check it. Use a rectal reading. Reason: If young babies have a fever, they need to see a doctor now. New research shows that forehead temps may also be accurate under 3 months of age.
• Age 3 months to 4 years old. Rectal or forehead temps are accurate. An ear thermometer can be used after 6 months old. An armpit temp is good for screening if it is taken right.
• Age 4 years and older. Safe to take the temp orally (by mouth). Ear and forehead thermometers are also good.
• Digital (electronic) thermometers are easily found in stores. They do not cost very much. They can be used for rectal, armpit and oral temps. Most of them give an accurate temp in 10 seconds or less. The AAP suggests you replace any glass thermometer in the house with one of these products.

Rectal Temperature: How to Take

• Age: Birth to 4 years old
• Have your child lie stomach down on your lap. Another way is on the back with the legs pulled up to the chest.
• Put some petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer and the anus.
• Slide the thermometer gently into the anus no more than 1 inch. If your child is less than 6 months old, put it in no more than ½ inch. That means until you can no longer see the silver tip.
• Be gentle. There should not be any resistance. If there is, stop.
• Hold your child still. Leave a digital thermometer in until it beeps (about 10 seconds).
• Your child has a fever if the rectal temp is above 100.4° F (38° C).

Armpit Temperature: How to Take

• Age: Any age for screening
• Put the tip of the thermometer in an armpit. Make sure the armpit is dry.
• Close the armpit by holding the elbow against the chest. Do this until it beeps (about 10 seconds). The tip of the thermometer must stay covered by skin.
• Your child has a fever if the armpit temp is above 99.0° F (37.2° C). If you have any doubt, take your child's temp by rectum or forehead.

Oral Temperature: How to Take

• Age: 4 years and older
• If your child had a cold or hot drink, wait 30 minutes.
• Put the thermometer under one side of the tongue towards the back. It's important to put the tip in the right place.
• Have your child hold the thermometer with his lips and fingers. Don't use the teeth to keep in place. Keep the lips sealed until it beeps (about 10 seconds).
• Your child has a fever if the temp is above 100° F (37.8° C).

Digital Pacifier Temperature: How to Take

• Age: Birth to 1 year. Only good for screening. Requires the baby to suck on it, which is not always possible. 
• Have your child suck on the pacifier until it beeps (about 10 seconds).
• Your child has a fever if the pacifier temp is above 100° F (37.8° C).

Ear Temperature: How to Take

• Age: 6 months and older (not accurate before 6 months)
• This thermometer reads the heat waves coming off the eardrum.
• A correct temp depends on pulling the ear backward. Pull back and up if over 1 year old.
• Then aim the tip of the ear probe between the opposite eye and ear.
• Parents like this thermometer because it takes less than 2 seconds. It also does not need the child to cooperate. It does not cause any discomfort.
• Caution. Being outdoors on a cold day will cause a low reading. Your child needs to be inside for 15 minutes before taking the temp. Earwax, ear infections and ear tubes do not keep from getting correct readings.

Forehead (Temporal Artery) Temperature: How to Take

• Age: Any age
• This thermometer reads the heat waves coming off the temporal artery. This blood vessel runs across the forehead just below the skin. 
• Place the sensor head at the center of the forehead.
• Slowly slide the thermometer across the forehead toward the top of the ear. Keep it in contact with the skin. 
• Stop when you reach the hairline. 
• Read your child's temp on the display screen.
• Note: some newer forehead thermometers don't need to slide across the forehead. Follow the box directions on how to take the temp.
• Used in more doctor's offices than any other thermometer.
• Parents like this thermometer because it takes less than 2 seconds. It also does not need the child to cooperate. It does not cause any discomfort.
• Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate.

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Yes, complimentary "Meet the Doc" appointments are available for first time new parents.
Please call our office for more information.

Yes, we always welcome new patients to our practice!

Please see the list of insurances that we accept under the "Office Info-Insurances" Menu Tab.

Newborns are scheduled to be seen in the office within 1-3 days of going home from the hospital.
Other new pediatric patients can often be seen within the next 2-3 weeks for preventive care/well visits. 
New adult patients are being scheduled but slots are limited and we are scheduling 2-3 months into the future.

We prefer to receive medical records including immunization records prior to the new patient appointment.

Thank you and welcome aboard!
 

Yes, we promote breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding babies for the first six to twelve months. Breastfeeding helps defend children against infections, prevents allergies, and protects against a number of chronic conditions. While experts believe that breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants, breastfeeding may not be possible for all women.

Some women have specific medical considerations that impede breastfeeding; others choose to feed by formula because of discomfort, work schedule, or lifestyle choices. In these cases, an iron-fortified, milk-based infant formula is a good alternative. We will gladly discuss your diet and feeding concerns at your child's next office visit.

Scheduling an appointment is easy.
You can call the office at (302) 392-2200 during office hours and speak to one of our helpful assistants.
Alternatively, you can request an appointment through the patient portal.  However, please call the office for urgent/sick appointments.

Prescription refills should be requested at office visits.  

If a refill is needed at another time, a request can be made through the patient portal or by calling the office.  Refill requests will be addressed during office hours.
Refills will often be taken care of within 24 hours but may take up to 72 hours.  Please plan accordingly.

 

We have a physician on call 24 hours a day, please call our office. This is for emergency purposes only.

Other routine issues including medication refills, referrals, billing questions, and appointment requests will be handled during regular business hours.

IN THE EVENT OF A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

Your insurance plan my require a referral prior to the appointment.  This is typically for "HMO" type plans.  

It is your responsibility to request a referral at least 10 days prior to your appointment.  Your referral will be available within 72 hours. Most referrals are completed electronically and submitted directly to the specialist's office. Please check with our office staff to determine if your insurance plan processes referrals electronically.
Urgent/same day referrals will be appropriately handled.
 

Our office is open Monday through Friday.
Please visit the Calendar tab to see our daily office hours schedule.  

All results whether normal or abnormal will receive a phone call or portal message from Dr. Mehta or their staff.  Please reach out to our office if more than 14 days have passed since your test was completed and you have not been contacted by our office.

Your results are also available to view on the Patient Portal or the lab portal for Quest or Lab Corp.

A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children of all ages. Pediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens and young adults.

Pediatricians provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice with issues such as growth and development, safety and prevention, nutrition, and emotional wellness to foster a lifetime of good health.

Nemishh Mehta, MD and Shilpa Mehta, MD are both board certified in Pediatrics (American Board of Pediatrics).

We recommend that your newborn be seen in our office 1-3 days after discharge from the hospital. Our staff understands the importance of this first visit and will make every effort to schedule this visit promptly.