Does Your Healthy Child Need to

Does Your Healthy Child Need to See a Doctor?

Before you answer no to the above question, take a minute to think about the following:

Do you worry whether your child is eating right?

Whether you are disciplining him correctly?

Whether the mood swings your thirteen year old is experiencing are all normal?

Have questions like these bothered you but you just "forgot" to ask during your last visit to your child's doctor?

These and many other questions can be answered at a "well child" visit. During a typical "sick visit" the focus is on your child's sickness and the pediatrician typically addresses concerns about the sickness. Time constraints may not allow for a comprehensive evaluation of your child's overall health status. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child be seen at two weeks, one month, two months, four months, six months, nine months, twelve months, fifteen months, eighteen months, two years and every year there after.

So what happens during a "well child" visit? After the nurse measures your child's height, weight, and head size, the pediatrician takes a few minutes to talk to you about the family environment your child is growing up in, his eating, sleeping and bladder/bowel habits. He may also ask you a few questions to ensure that your child's physical and mental development is normal. Any concerns you may have regarding your child's behavior or other health issues may be addressed. At this time, your child will get a thorough physical examination. Contrary to popular belief a physical examination is needed not only at school entry but every year. This may pick up any developmental abnormality as poor growth and weight gain, curvature of the spine (scoliosis), or delayed sexual maturation. If appropriate your child will also get a hearing and vision test. His blood count, blood lead level and urine may be checked for abnormality. Finally, your child's doctor would recommend age appropriate vaccinations and explain their common side effects to you. He may also provide guidance regarding normal developmental process, puberty, water safety, firearm safety and bicycle safety.

All this could be accomplished in a brief twenty-five to thirty minute office visit. All in all a well child visit is a good insurance to your child's healthy future.