Des Moines Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic

08/03/2026

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a good reminder that vaccines protect more than just the person receiving them. They protect classmates with weakened immune systems, new babies too young to be vaccinated yet, and grandparents who spend time with your kids every week.

It's also a good time to make sure your own child is covered before the first day of school. Iowa has specific requirements at three key points: kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade, and the 7th grade meningococcal shot has no grace period. Our latest blog breaks down exactly what's needed at each stage, what counts as valid proof, and why scheduling now (not the week before school starts) makes life easier for everyone.

✅ Kindergarten vaccine checklist
✅ 7th grade Tdap + meningococcal requirements
✅ 12th grade booster info
✅ What to do if you're not sure where your child stands

Read the full guide 👉 https://dsmpeds.com/iowa-school-immunization-requirements/

📞 Beaverdale: (515) 255-3181
📞 Ankeny: (515) 964-2159

Find Iowa school immunization requirements by grade, including Tdap and meningococcal vaccines. Schedule now to avoid the back-to-school rush.

07/28/2026

Keeping kids safe on the road means ensuring their car seat grows with them at the right pace. From rear-facing to booster seats, never rush the transition to the next stage.

Next time you buckle your child in, take five seconds to run through this quick checklist:

✅ The Strap Check: Are the straps snug enough to pass the "pinch test"? If you can pinch any fabric at their shoulder, it’s too loose.

✅ The Placement: Is the chest clip resting flat against their sternum, level with their armpits?

✅ The Timing: Are they in the right seat for their size? Don't rush to turn them forward-facing or move them to a booster. Delaying the next milestone is always the safest choice.

If you're ever unsure about your installation, many local fire stations have certified technicians who will check your setup for free!

07/23/2026

Ready to roll? Let's talk about helmet safety. 🚲

Before your child hops on their bike, scooter, or skateboard, make sure their helmet is securely buckled. It is the single most important piece of gear they can wear.

Even if they are just riding at the end of the driveway or down the block, accidents can happen in a split second. Instilling the habit of wearing a helmet now protects their growing brains and builds a safety mindset that lasts a lifetime.

07/15/2026

Beat the back-to-school rush! 🍎🩺

Ensure your child is healthy, energized, and ready for the classroom with a comprehensive well child exam. From vaccines to vision checks, we handle it all.

Spots fill up fast, so don't wait until the last minute! Book your child's appointment today and start the year off right.

07/06/2026

Swimming is one of the best ways for kids to stay active, burn off energy, and build confidence over the summer break.

But before you head out to the pool, let's make sure your family is protected with a quick summer safety checklist:

1️⃣ Pick bright swimsuits: Bright neons (like orange and pink) are highly visible underwater. Avoid blues and greens.

2️⃣ Lather up: Apply SPF 30 or higher and reapply often to prevent burns and uncomfortable sun rashes.

3️⃣ Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Keep water bottles close by to beat the summer heat.

4️⃣ Stay alert: Keep your eyes on the water at all times—active supervision is the single best way to prevent accidents.

Here's to a safe, happy, and sun-filled summer of swimming! ☀️

07/03/2026

In observance of Independence Day, our Beaverdale and Ankeny offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th. We will reopen with regular hours on Monday, July 6th.

If your child has an urgent medical need while we're closed, please contact our after-hours line or visit urgent care/the ER as needed.

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Fourth of July! 🎆

Beaverdale: (515) 255-3181
Ankeny: (515) 964-2159

06/30/2026

Planning a July 4th celebration? Let's make sure the festivities stay fun and injury-free.

If you're buying fireworks, make sure to stick to legal, reputable stands. Once the show starts, keep the kids at a safe distance and keep a close eye on them. When the fun is over, dunk all the used fireworks in a bucket of water before tossing them in the trash so they don't accidentally reignite.

We hope you have a great time and enjoy the firework show safely.

06/21/2026

To the dads in our waiting rooms, snack in one hand, insurance card in the other, doing their best: Happy Father's Day.

To the ones who show up to every appointment and the ones who made it to this one on short notice. To stepdads, grandfathers, and every person who has stepped up to love a child who needed them. Fatherhood looks a lot of different ways, and we are glad to see all of them walk through our doors.

Wishing you a day that's more relaxing than an afternoon at the pediatrician. You've earned it. 💙

06/17/2026

The kids are finally outside again, and that's a wonderful thing. It also means ticks, mosquito bites, and the occasional run-in with poison ivy are back on the parenting radar.

All three are a normal part of an Iowa summer. And all three are a lot less stressful when you know what to look for and what to do.

Our latest blog breaks it all down for parents, including how to do a proper tick check and what to do if you find one attached, how to soothe bug bites before the scratching gets out of hand, what to do in the first few minutes after a poison ivy exposure (dish soap is your best friend), and when any of these situations warrants a call to your pediatrician.

A little preparation goes a long way. Don't let the fear of bugs and plants keep your family indoors this summer.

Read the full guide here: https://dsmpeds.com/tick-and-bug-bite-treatment-kids/
Beaverdale: (515) 255-3181 Ankeny: (515) 964-2159

Worried about ticks, mosquitoes, or poison ivy this summer? Des Moines Pediatrics shares an Iowa parent’s guide to tick and bug bite treatment kids

06/12/2026

Our CNAs don't always get the spotlight. Today we're changing that.

They are the first voice your child hears when you call. The first smile when you walk in. The person who notices your kid is scared and does something about it before anyone else even has to ask.

Behind every smooth appointment is someone working hard to make it look easy. We see that work, and we do not take it for granted.

To our CNA team: thank you. Today and every day. 💙