Well-Child Visits
Definition
Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change. Pediatric well-child visits are most frequent when the child's development is most rapid.
Each visit includes a complete physical examination. This will assess the infant or young child's growth and development and help identify problems early. Height, weight, and other important information is recorded and considered. Hearing, vision, and other tests will be a part of some visits. Such preventive care is important for raising healthy children.
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Description
Well-child visits are also key times for communication. Expect to be given information about normal development, nutrition, sleep, safety, infectious diseases that are "going around," and other important topics for parents.
Make the most of these visits by writing down your most important questions and concerns to bring with you.
Special attention is paid to whether the infant has met the normal developmental milestones. The height, weight and head circumference is recorded on a graph, which the physician keeps with the infant's chart. You also can keep your own graphs of the height, weight, and head circumference. This can be a great springboard for discussion. Ask your doctor about the BMI curve, which is the most important curve for identifying and preventing obesity.
There are several schedules for routine well-child visits. One schedule, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is given below.
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