Preventative Healthcare for Children
Every parent wants their child to be healthy. Here's Dr. Firstname M. Lastname, a Family Practice physician with Medical Center/Hospital, to give us some sound advice about the benefits of preventative medicine for children.
Let's begin with an infant.
After a child is born, both the parents and the physician are given an immunization card. It's important to follow this checkoff list, and keep immunizations up to date.
Which vaccinations are most important?
All of them are important: DPT (for diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus), hepatitis B, polio, influenza, MMR (for measles/mumps/rubella) and homophiles just to name a few.
Should certain tests be performed?
A yearly well-child exam is important. I perform a thorough medical history and physical exam, and ask about the child's eating and sleeping habits and school performance.
What else is part of a well-child exam?
The child gets all appropriate immunizations. I keep a growth chart and check for anemia and diabetes. I perform lead and tuberculosis screenings, and if I identify any abnormalities, I'll help the parents correct those problems.
What about the adolescent child?
During adolescence, a child undergoes tremendous changes. A yearly physical is important (especially if the child is involved in sports), along with awareness and responsible education about drugs, alcohol and sex.