World Health Day – What It Means for Children’s Health
World Health Day, celebrated every year on April 7, marks the foundation of the World Health Organization in 1948. It is an initiative taken by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about the overall health and well-being of people across the world, including children as well!
At Oregon Pediatrics, we’d like to use this as a chance to break down Children’s Health Care into smaller, more digestible concepts, so that new parents aren’t overwhelmed and even so older parents can fully understand why children’s Primary Healthcare is so different than adults.
Why Do Children Need So Many Doctors’ Visits?
It's more vital than ever in today’s modern world to make sure your child sees the doctor on a frequent basis, not just when they're sick, but when they look and feel just fine as well.
Besides the regular doctor appointments that are booked when your child has sniffles or suffered an injury, “well-child visits” are a crucial part of a child’s primary healthcare that’s devoted to ensuring that your children are healthy and developing normally.
When Do Children Need Wellness Visits?
Between the ages of one and four, young children should see a doctor for a well-child visit around seven times, then once a year after that.
Children ages 1 to 4 need to see the doctor or nurse when they’re: 12 months old, 15 months old (1 year and 3 months), 18 months old (1 year and 6 months), 24 months old (2 years), 30 months old (2 years and 6 months), 3 years old, and 4 years old.
What Happens During a Child Wellness Visits?
Tracking Growth and Development
During wellness visits, your child's height, weight, head circumference, and milestones are measured to enable your pediatrician to monitor their growth and spot any issues. Your physician should also be able to ask the correct questions that can help reveal any issues. Hearing, vision, and other screening tests may also be performed during your visit.
Staying Up to Date with Vaccinations
Vaccinations for childhood illnesses and common conditions that affect children and young people, such as measles and HPV, are given at wellness visits. Your physician will ensure that your kid is vaccinated to date and will address any questions or concerns you may have.
Listening to Your Concerns
It’s true that pediatricians have to deal with the horrors of an anxious parent, but the good news is that they’re used to it! Your pediatrician's well-child appointments are the ideal opportunity to discuss any concerns you might have. Write down all your questions beforehand and discuss them with your doctor. Your healthcare practitioner can assist you in identifying the source of the problem or send you to someone who can.
