Pediatric Wellness Check-up
A pediatric wellness check-up is a visit to a childcare specialist or provider to ensure the optimal physical and mental health of your child. It typically involves the examination of children for unusual symptoms and relevant treatment. Your provider may also explore your child’s lifestyle and eating habits and provide answers to any health-related concerns. Wellness check-ups may also include administering vaccines as part of their immunization program.
The fetus can also be tested for any genetic abnormality or developmental disorder. This helps the doctors to treat the medical condition effectively if diagnosed early.
Schedule for Baby’s Wellness Check-ups
Wellness check-ups are recommended at the following ages:
- At birth
- One week old
- 1 Month
- 2 Months
- 4 Months
- 6 Months
- 9 Months
- 12 Months
After your baby completes one year, they then should be taken for check-ups at 15, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months.
Check-ups can be annually from ages 4 to 21.
Note that the tests performed in adolescence may vary from the tests during childhood as your child’s body is going through a new set of changes, especially hormonal, which need to be assessed differently.
What does a Provider evaluate in a Wellness Check-up?
Your child will be primarily assessed for the following:
- Physical development: height, body weight, and head circumference
- Normal body temperature
- Heartbeat
- Proper eye function
- Blood pressure
- Anemia or other blood disorders and infections
- Urine analysis, if any unusual symptoms exist
- Dietary habits and lifestyle
- Dental hygiene
- Ear check-ups to detect any hearing problem
- Sleep pattern
- Proper speech
Vaccines and Immunizations during a Wellness Check-up
Some of the common vaccines administered to babies aged 2, 4 and 6 months include:
- IPV (inactivated poliovirus vaccine)
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis)
- HepB (hepatitis B)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)
- RV1 (rotavirus vaccine, oral)
- PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 13-valent)
What can I ask my Provider during a Wellness Check-up?
Wellness check-ups are meant to discuss health-related concerns. You may want to ask questions related to breastfeeding, vaccination schedules and food that should be given in the early years.
Preparing Your Child for a Wellness Check-up
Some of the tips you can follow before and during a wellness check-up include:
- Keeping your child relaxed by maintaining eye contact, smiling and being present.
- Comforting and gently holding them for any jabs or injections.
- Guiding them through hand-movement and facial gestures. For example, if they are required to swallow something, then you might open your mouth and show them how.
- Distracting your child during and after the procedure with songs, counting, book-reading, or blowing bubbles.
- It’s normal for kids to feel fear, pain, and discomfort. You can soothe them by holding them gently or patting their back.
Benefits of a Wellness Check-up
- Helps track your child’s growth and development
- Helps in diagnosis and treatment of disease
- Helps build trust between the doctor, child, and parent
- Helps in the dissemination of information
- Increases awareness about health and fitness among parents and children
