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- Knowledgebase: Parenting Questions
- Questions about the managment of common parenting problems such as discipline.
- 18. Why do children need checkups? - Top
- Q. Why do children need checkup?
A. During childhood human beings are going through constant changes in several parameters (growth, development, intelligence, hormonal, psychological and social). Pediatrics was the first area of medicine to initiate preventative care and is still in the forefront in this area. Your child's checkup should evaluate all the changing parameters mentioned and then this is compared to the "normals" (wide range of variability) for their age. If there are any deviations, the child should be evaluated for cause and possible therapy. Preventative care includes early detection of problems with easier resolution if possible. Preventative care also includes dealing with lifestyle issues that can make a difference in short term and long term health (such as immunization, diet, accident prevention, etc.) Another aspect of checkups is to help parents understand and deal with their children. A major part of this is called anticipatory guidance which means your physician should talk with you about what changes your child may go through before their next visit so you can be prepared for their changes and look forward to them.
- Updated: March 23, 2001
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- Knowledgebase: Parenting Questions
James L Horwitz, MD
David C. Thomas, MD
Barbara Lindberg, PNP