Managing your health, and the health of your child, means putting prevention into practice.
The third in the series of preventive care guides to help you manage your health and the health of your loved ones, Managing Your Health: Child Health Guide presents important information on preventive care for children - such as checkup visits, immunizations, and tests and exams.
Use your PersonalMD Medical Record to help track your childs preventive care and to know when this care is needed.
Checkup Visits
Checkup visits are important because they allow your health care provider to review your child's growth and development, perform tests or give shots. To help your provider get a complete picture of your child's health status, be sure to bring your child's health record and a list of any medications your child is taking to each visit.
Checkup visits are a time for parents to ask questions. Bring a list of concerns you have. For example, my child is not sleeping through the night yet, I don't think my child is eating enough, or my child seems uncoordinated and is always walking into things.
Some authorities recommend checkup visits at the following ages 2-4 weeks; 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years.
Some children may need to be seen more often, others less. Ask your clinician how often your child will need to be seen.
Immunizations
Your child needs immunizations. Immunizations (shots) protect your child from many serious diseases. Below is a list of immunizations and the ages when your child should receive them.
Immunizations should be given at the recommended ageseven if your child has a cold or illness at the time. Ask your health care provider about when your child should receive these important shots. Ask also if your child needs other immunizations.
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Polio (IPV): At 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years.
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Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, DTP): At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.
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Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td): At 11-16 years.
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Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR): At 12-15 months, and either 4-6 years OR 11-12 years.
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months; OR 2 months, 4 months, and 12-15 months depending on the vaccine type.
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Hepatitis B (HBV): At birth-2 months, 1-4 months, and 6-18 months.
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Chickenpox (VZV): At 1-12 years.
Tests and Exams
Newborn Screening
These blood tests should be done before your baby is 7 days old. They are usually done just before your baby leaves the hospital. If the blood tests were done earlier than 24 hours after birth, a repeat test at 1 to 2 weeks of age is recommended. Common newborn screening tests include those for PKU, thyroid, and sickle cell disease.
Blood Pressure
Your child should have blood pressure measurements regularly, starting at around 3 years of age. High blood pressure in children needs medical attention. It may be a sign of underlying disease and, if not treated, may lead to serious illness. Check with your child's health care provider about blood pressure measurements.
Lead
Lead Poisoning Risk Assessment
Answer the questions below. Any "yes" answers may mean that your child needs lead tests earlier and more often than other children.
Has your child:
* Lived in or regularly visited a house built before 1950? (This could include a day care center, preschool, the home of a babysitter or relative, etc.)
* Lived in or regularly visited a house built before 1978 (the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use) with recent, ongoing, or planned renovation or remodeling?
* Had a brother or sister, housemate, or playmate followed or treated for lead poisoning?
Lead can harm your child, slowing physical and mental growth and damaging many parts of the body. The most common way children get lead poisoning is by being around old house paint that is chipping or peeling. Some authorities recommend lead tests at 1 and 2 years of age.
Vision and Hearing
Your child's vision should be tested before starting school, at about 3 or 4 years of age. Your child may also need vision tests as he or she grows. Some authorities recommend hearing testing beginning at 3 to 4 years of age.
If at any age your child has any of the vision or hearing warning signs listed below, be sure to talk with your health care provider.
Vision Warning Signs
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Eyes turning inward (crossing) or outward
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Squinting
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Headaches
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Not doing as well in school work as before
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Blurred or double vision Hearing Warning Signs
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Poor response to noise or voice
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Slow language and speech development
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Abnormal sounding speech
Special Warning: Listening to very loud music, especially with earphones, can permanently damage your child's hearing.
Additional Tests
Your child may need other tests to prevent health problems. Some common tests are:
* Anemia (Blood) Test. Your child may need to be tested for anemia ("low blood") when he or she is still a baby (usually around the first birthday). Children may also need this test as they get older. Some children are more likely to get anemia. Ask your health care provider about anemia testing.
* Cholesterol (Blood) Test. Children (2 years and older) may need this test especially if they have a parent with high cholesterol or a parent or grandparent with heart disease before age 55. If a family history is not available, testing may be needed if your child is obese or has high blood pressure.
* Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test. Children may need this test if they have had close contact with a person who has TB, live in an area where TB is more common than average (such as a Native American reservation, a homeless shelter or an institution) or have recently moved from Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, or the Pacific Islands.
