Why Regular Wellness Exams are Crucial for Your Child’s Health
Wellness exams are a cornerstone of good health management for everyone, but they are especially vital for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) even provides a recommended schedule for these check-ups, emphasizing that some children with developmental, psychosocial, or chronic health conditions may require more frequent visits. These annual examinations are important until a child turns 18, at which point they transition to an adult primary care provider.
Unfortunately, after the age of five, some children stop seeing their pediatrician regularly, only visiting when they’re sick. This disrupts their continuity of care and can lead to missed opportunities to identify complex medical issues that require early intervention. Wellness exams are far more than just measuring height, weight, and vision; they are instrumental to a child’s healthy development.
What Happens During a Pediatric Wellness Exam?
During a wellness exam, your child’s pediatrician conducts a comprehensive assessment of your child’s health, which typically includes:
- Growth Assessment: Measuring height, weight, and head circumference (for infants) to track growth and calculate BMI (for adolescents).
- Immunizations: Administering age-appropriate vaccinations.
- Vitals Check: Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate.
- Physical Examination: A thorough head-to-toe check-up.
- Screenings: Vision and hearing screenings.
- Risk Assessment: Evaluating risks for conditions like anemia, lead exposure, Tuberculosis, and STDs.
- Lifestyle and Psychosocial Assessment: Discussing diet, sleep habits, and screening for factors like tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, as well as depression.
- Developmental Screening: Screening for autism and other developmental milestones.
Many pediatric practices also offer nutrition and behavioral health counseling, providing families with resources to address concerns before they escalate. Pediatric providers also play a crucial role in educating children, helping them build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a pediatrician is witnessing children grow from infancy into adulthood. Pediatricians value the strong connections they build with families and look forward to seeing their patients each year.
“Preventive care is the cornerstone of lifelong health,” says Dr. Sanniya Nanda. “Regular wellness exams allow us to not only track physical growth and development but also to proactively address emerging health concerns, provide crucial guidance to families, and foster a trusting relationship that supports a child’s overall well-being.”Summer is an ideal time to schedule wellness examinations and get a head start on sports physicals for the upcoming school year. If your child is due for a check-up, contact their pediatric provider today to schedule a wellness examination.
