Why do you need a children's check-up?
more on the topic
Question to an expert: why is it important to vaccinate children? How to prepare a child for vaccination, which vaccines to use and why measles vaccination should be done right now? Doctors never tire of repeating that preventing a disease is easier than treating its consequences. In the case of children, this rule works unconditionally: the younger the child, the more chances and opportunities to notice and correct a malfunction in the body. That is why the need to undergo medical examination is legally enshrined. Each child must undergo a medical examination annually, and upon reaching a certain age, be examined by narrow specialists.
When is the children's check-up carried out? The child undergoes the first full examination at the age of one year, then at 3 years old, then at 6, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 16 years old.
At three years old, the child is examined:
pediatrician orthopedist andrologist or gynecologist neurologist ophthalmologist ENT speech therapist psychiatrist dermatologist dentist
Particularly important is preschool clinical examination, which is necessary to determine the characteristics of the body and prevent pathologies and chronic diseases. Therefore, in front of the school, the child should also be shown to a psychologist, orthodontist and immunologist.
Why is it important to conduct a comprehensive examination of the child? The orthopedist assesses the condition of the spine, determines flat feet (or states its absence), gives recommendations on how to choose furniture and shoes for a child, how to correct posture and reduce flat feet.
The andrologist examines the boys and excludes developmental pathologies such as narrowing of the foreskin and undescended testicles, as well as hernia and dropsy. Girls are also examined by a gynecologist.
Since a child's nervous system is under tremendous stress during the preschool and early school years, a neurologist must regularly and carefully examine the child. If you have complaints during the year, do not wait for a medical examination, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Another doctor who should show up as often as possible is an ophthalmologist. Modern children "plant" their eyes early by watching cartoons and playing on the phone. The doctor will give recommendations on how much time it is permissible to spend in front of the screen, and will tell you about the tactics of further treatment, if necessary.
If you are a parent of a preschooler, then you have probably already visited the ENT with a set of the most common childhood problems: ARVI, otitis media, enlarged tonsils. This time, the doctor must conduct a comprehensive examination and, possibly, give directions for further medical manipulations (it all depends on the nature and degree of complexity of the problems).
You should also not neglect regular visits to the dentist: information that baby teeth do not need treatment is just a myth that often causes serious problems. Children's caries develops rapidly, so treatment should be started as soon as possible.
The psychologist will determine the readiness for school and will help to cope with anxiety and aggression (both children and parents). In some cases, you will be advised not to rush to send your child to school and devote another year to preparing for it.
Expert opinion
Irina Bogdanova, pediatrician
Examinations of the child are carried out on an officially established date. These include consultation with a pediatrician, narrow specialists and examinations, which may differ depending on the age of the child.
Before school, it is imperative to do an ECG, an EKG with stress and, if necessary, consult a cardiologist to determine a physical culture group and obtain permission to practice in sports sections.
Before entering the first grade, it is also necessary to do an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, reproductive system, abdominal cavity and kidneys. This is due to the fact that many diseases can be practically asymptomatic, and against the background of stress in a new environment, with a change in regime and a heavy load, they become obvious. This can be easily avoided by identifying the prerequisites for the disease and choosing the appropriate schedule and regimen for the child. The pediatrician will give you accurate information based on the results of the examinations.
