Well Child Exam – What Happens at Your Child’s Visit
The growth rate of kids can be so fast — before you know it, they are as tall as you are. As they develop, you need to pay attention to their health and general wellness. The best way to monitor their health is to schedule a well-child exam with a trusted pediatrician.
The child’s doctor will consider the growth milestones and evaluate the rate of development that has occurred in the child since the last doctor’s appointment. They are familiar with the child’s health records and can manage issues more precisely. Even more, the routine visits will allow your child’s doctor to detect health issues early before complications occur.
What happens during a well-child exam?
When you visit the doctor’s office, the pediatrician will check weight, measure height and calculate body mass index (BMI) to know if your child’s growth rate is normal. They will also proceed to check the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing to be sure every vital function normally. Afterward, your child will receive a head-to-toe physical evaluation.
Depending on the age of the child, immunizations or vaccinations will be administered to protect his or her body from certain diseases. During your visit, you should be ready to answer whatever questions or concerns the pediatrician has about the child’s health. The doctor will also give suggestions regarding the child’s development.
Generally, along with the procedures mentioned above, the method of assessment depends on the age of the child. The following is a basic guide to know what to expect at different stages of your child’s life.
For infants
The pediatrician will conduct a physical evaluation that includes:
- Checking the child’s head, eyes, ears and mouth to ensure healthy growth
- Inspecting the skin for rashes and birthmarks
- Feeling the body’s belly to diagnose engorged organs or an umbilical hernia
- Examining the genitalia for signs of infection like lumps or tenderness
For toddlers
The doctor will test the vision and hearing of the child and ask questions to understand your child’s emotional, mental and social development. The examination includes knowing about:
- Changes in behavioral pattern
- The child’s response to strangers
- The child’s wellbeing
- The child’s relationship or interaction with peers
- The child’s hearing, speaking and social habits
For school-age children
The doctor will attempt to get an overview of your child’s emotional, mental and social development. The conversation will include:
- The child’s daily physical activity
- Sleeping patterns
- Reading and problem-solving skills
- Motor and language skills
- Signs of growing independence from parents and siblings
For Teenagers
As teens reach adolescence, they face many changes that should be evaluated by a doctor who makes your child feel at ease. During the examination, the doctor will check for signs of tobacco or drug use, alcohol, depression and talk about their sexual health, including:
- Sexual activities, chances of unplanned pregnancy, sex-related infections (STIs), and questions about sexual identity and inclinations
- Birth control methods, abstinence, and sexual responsibility
- How girls can perform breasts examinations
- How boys can perform testicular inspections
Final note
Ahead of your well-child exam, note every concern or questions about your child’s growth. The pediatrician is the best source of answers.
Are you considering a well-child exam in the Houston area? Get more well-child exam information at https://www.woodforestmd.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: keyword in Houston, TX.
Recent Posts
Primary care services include different forms of services aimed at managing a patient’s health. The professionals who provide these services are unique because they have training and experience diagnosing and treating a broad range of health conditions and providing preventative care.Primary care physicians provide primary care services, which include routine physical exams, treatment for minor…
Curious about the HCG diet? Read on to learn more about this weight loss method. This short explainer will be a helpful guide that will help you work out the types of foods that make the diet effective.The HCG diet is a short-term eating plan that takes between three and six weeks to complete. Its…
Allergy testing can benefit patients with mild to life-threatening symptoms. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, over 50 million Americans have some type of allergy. Many will deal with annoying, but not life-threatening, environmental allergies such as pollen and mold in the spring and fall, while others will spend their lives…
Primary care is routine healthcare services that are provided by a general physician. One of the main parts of primary care is disease prevention, which consists of various things ranging from examinations to blood tests. While disease prevention may sound unnecessary, it can actually go a very long way in ensuring that individuals remain in…