Child check-ups are regular, periodic medical check-ups that should be performed on all children. The frequency of these checkups varies with age.
The character of these checkups is purely preventive and the objective is to supervise the growth and psychomotor development of each child. It is important to remember that in the first years of life, children grow exponentially, acquire various skills and all their organs and systems are maturing. If at any time there is any alteration in this growth process, it can only be detected through these routines.
It should be remembered that pediatric experts are not only there to treat diseases, but also to prevent them. Patients should know that preventive medicine is much cheaper than curative medicine, being the only way to eradicate potential pathologies.
Can serious or minor ailments be detected with it?
The answer is a resounding yes. It is very common for pediatric consultations to detect subtle symptoms that alert that a child’s normal development is being altered. Medical check-ups are highly recommended and obligatory in childhood.
How does the pediatrician treat the child in consultation?
Just as all teachers are not teachers and do not have the ability to communicate, not all physicians are capable of handling children. Pediatricians, as a rule, know how to handle their young patients. Ideally, they should spend at least 30 minutes with the patients, first talking to the parents and, if necessary, sending the children to the play area or distracting them with a toy.
The doctor should be aware of the patient’s reactions, anticipating and adapting to them. If the child does not want to go to the examination table, for example, you should redirect him/her to another area (either a play area or an area with elements to distract him/her) and examine him/her there. It is not strange or unusual to have to change the normal sequence of the check-up so that the patient is favorable.
How often is a check-up recommended?
The professional guidelines used by pediatricians recommend that during the first year of the patient’s life, the check-up should be done monthly, to analyze the accelerated growth and progressive food instruction.
During the second year, they should be carried out every 2 months. When reaching the third year, every 3 months, and so on until puberty is reached. It should be noted that throughout the years of follow-up, the professional should recommend revisions with different specialists such as ophthalmologists, dentists, orthopedists and others, as required by the child.