What is the child checkup?

The child checks are periodic and regular medical examinations to be performed for all children. The frequency of these varies with age.

The character of pediatric checkup is purely preventive and the objective is to monitor 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 abilities and all their organs and systems mature. 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 to prevent them. Patients should know that preventive medicine is much cheaper than curative, being the only way to eradicate potential pathologies.

It is very common for pediatric consultations to detect subtle symptoms that warn that the normal development of a child is being altered. Medical check-ups are highly recommended and required in childhood.

Just as all teachers are not teachers and cannot communicate, not all doctors are capable of handling children. Pediatricians, as a rule, know how to handle their little patients. Ideally, spend at least 30 minutes with patients, talking to parents first and, if necessary, sending children to the play area or distracting them with a toy.

The doctor must be aware of the patient's reactions, anticipating their reactions, and adapting to them. If the child does not want to go to the stretcher, for example, it must be redirected to another area (be it games or with elements for their distraction) and examine there. It is nothing strange or particular to have to change the normal sequence of the check-up so that the patient is favorable.

The professional guides used by pediatricians recommend that during the first year of the patient's life, the check-up be done monthly, to analyze the accelerated growth and the progressive instruction of food. If your child gets sick and you don't know what to do, call your pediatrician. Pediatric can form an action plan together.

During the second year, they should be carried out every 2 months. Upon reaching the third year, every 3 months, and so gradually until puberty. It should be noted that throughout the years of follow-up, the professional must recommend reviews with different specialists such as ophthalmologists, dentists, orthopedists, and others, as required by the child.

Even if your children are in perfect health, it doesn't hurt to get a full check-up during this time, during which they don't have to get up early to go to classes or extracurricular activities. The pediatrician explained that the check-up of all school-age children, no matter how “healthy” they may be, should be done at least once a year, and what better time than a vacation.

Finally, it is important to review the vaccination pattern for adequate family orientation and administration of those that are necessary. If something specific and of interest is detected in the physical examination or during the medical history, the corresponding examinations will be added in both subspecialized evaluations or complementary analyzes concludes the specialist.