Yahoo Lifestyle When To Get Your Child Tested
It’s easy to worry about their child’s health (‘Is he growing right?’ ‘Are his teeth strong?’ ‘What about his eyes?’ ), yet there’s really no need to panic, say the authors of Screening for Good Health. “Children are generally very healthy, having not had the time to develop the ‘wear and tear’ types of conditions (like heart disease or hypertension) experienced by some adults,” write Martin Bray, Dr Kerry Kirke and Dr Nicola Spurrier.
Widespread immunisation and good nutrition and housing in Australia also mean that many past health problems are now dim, distant memories. Of course, health concerns will still crop up from time to time, which is why it’s important to build a good, trusting relationship with your local GP or child and family health nurse. These experts have the skills, experience and tests required to make sure your child’s health remains on track.
“Health professionals should collaborate with parents in the surveillance of the ongoing wellbeing and development of their child,” says Dr Michael Fasher of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He’s been a GP for 33 years and has a specific interest in the health of children and young people. “There is no subject of concern to a parent which isn’t suitable to discuss with a doctor,” he assures.
Not sure what you should be asking about? What follows is a list of things you need to monitor as your child grows. Keep in mind that this a rough guide and recommendations for check-up times can vary in each state and territory, and may change over time. It’s always wise, then, to speak to your doctor or health nurse about your child’s personal needs.
HEALTH CONCERN: Congenital physical abnormalities
WHEN TO GET YOUR CHILD CHECKED: At birth and/or within the first week of life, and again at 6 weeks
WHY? While the majority of bubs are born perfectly healthy, a very small percentage have congenital physical abnormalities (though in most cases these are quite minor). The sooner these are detected, the better the health outcomes – which is why your baby should be screened before leaving the hospital. He will be physically examined for conditions such as dislocation of the hips, cataracts and heart problems. Your health service should check these again at six weeks. Using a blood-spot (‘heel prick’) test, babies are also screened for rare medical conditions including cystic fibrosis, congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria and galactosaemia.
HEALTH CONCERN: Growth and development
WHEN TO GET YOUR CHILD CHECKED: Your littlie should have periodic checks between birth and starting school. The key ages are at 1 to 4 weeks,
6 to 8 weeks, 6 to 8 months, 18 months, 2.5 to 3.5 years and then at 4 to 5 years
WHY? Each check-up is a chance for you and your doctor or nurse to keep an eye on your child’s physical and mental development. His height, weight, head circumference and body mass index will be checked, as well as his development (including his language, fine motor skills and social skills). Breastfeeding issues and SIDS risk are also monitored in early life.
A record of the results will be logged in your child’s parent-held
Personal Health Record so you can follow his progress. A big advantage of these checks and records is they can allow early detection of treatable conditions, says Dr Fasher. Through the check-ups, your own health and wellbeing and any other concerns can also be monitored.
HEALTH CONCERN: Hearing
WHEN TO GET YOUR CHILD CHECKED: Within 7 days of birth, then opportunistically as you see your GP or nurse
WHY? About one in 500 to 1000 babies are born with impaired hearing and your newborn will be screened soon after birth. This is good, as the earlier issues are picked up, the better your child’s chances of developing normal speech and language. Hearing loss can also develop later, so if your littlie fails to develop language and communication skills or has difficulty hearing for longer than a week, ask your health professional for a hearing test. If all is fine, regular health surveillance should pick up any changes.
HEALTH CONCERN: Vision
WHEN TO GET YOUR CHILD CHECKED: At birth, 6 weeks of age, then opportunistically as you see your GP or nurse
WHY? There is now a standard medical examination to look for conditions such as retinoblastoma (a rare cancer of the eye) and congenital cataracts in newborns, says Dr Fasher. “They’re important to pick up as the child will need an immediate operation if his eyesight is to be protected,” he says.
Regular medical check-ups will also monitor your child’s vision. “In the earliest weeks of life, we ask mothers whether their babies are looking at them and having those to-and-fro, gaze-on-gaze conversations. If not, that would be a clue to the baby not being able to see.” Though some recommend tots have their eyes checked by an optometrist around the age of four, before the start of school, Dr Fasher does not suggest booking your littlie in until his eyes have stopped developing, at around age 10. If you’re concerned, talk to your GP about a referral to a skilled paediatric ophthalmologist.
HEALTH CONCERN: Teeth
WHEN TO GET YOUR CHILD CHECKED: Annually from as early as one year of age
WHY? With the recent rise in early tooth decay (largely blamed on the incorrect use of bottles and sugary drinks), many experts are recommending kids visit the dentist sooner than ever before.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead says littlies should have a first dental visit at about age one, then continue with regular checks (depending on their dental health, some kids may need a visit to the tooth-man every six months). Choose a child-friendly dentist so the experience isn’t a negative one. And to protect your child’s teeth, use a soft toothbrush – first with water, then low-fluoride toothpaste from around 18 months. You’ll need to assist with brushing until your child can do it properly himself (at about six or seven years of age).
HEALTH CONCERNS: Asthma, diabetes, allergies, autism and others
WHEN TO GET YOUR CHILD CHECKED: Opportunistically as you see your GP or nurse
WHY? Dr Fasher says conditions such as asthma and developmental issues such as autism should be picked up early with regular visits to your doctor and/or during routine vaccination appointments.
If you’re concerned about developmental and behavioural problems, there is now a handy series of questions available, for a fee, designed to flag problems in young children (called the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status, or PEDS). The questions get you thinking about everything from how your child talks or makes sounds to how he uses his hands and fingers to do things, and whether you’re having concerns.
Australian research shows that if parents are recurrently asked these questions, children with developmental disabilities are more likely to get help earlier, Dr Fasher says. For more info about PEDS, contact your local health service.
DON’T PANIC!
Before you rush to hospital in the dead of night, here‘s how you can determine if your child needs immediate help:
CALL AND CONSULT
Phone your local hospital or a 24-hour child-health line to talk through your concerns with a specially trained nurse.
Try:
healthdirect Australia (all areas but VIC and QLD) 1800 022 222
NURSE-ON-CALL (VIC): 1300 60 60 24
13 HEALTH (QLD): 13 43 25 84
2. BROWSE SMARTLY
Don’t be misinformed by the internet! The following websites are reputable and reviewed by Australian medical professionals:
www.raisingchildren.net.au
Children's Hospital at Westmead
www.healthinsite.gov.au
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
3. KEEP A MEDICAL JOURNAL
Use your child’s Personal Health Record to track his progress and jot down any concerns you have. If he’s getting the occasional rash, for instance, record the details (the site and regularity of the rash, its intensity and the like), then you can form a clearer picture of whether it’s a problem that needs addressing immediately.
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