Monmouth County's Ask The Doctor July/August 2018

Why Children’s Annual Wellness Visits Are Important By Jaclyn Guliano, MD

Each child develops differently, both mentally and physically. An annual wellness checkup by a board-certified physician can detect medical and behavioral health issues early, keep immuni- zations up to date, and provide an opportunity for both you and your child to ask the doctor about any concerns you have. Pediatricians vs. Family Medicine Physicians Wellness visits can be conducted by your child’s pediatrician or by a family medicine physician. Family medicine physicians are trained in pediatrics and obstetrics, and care for patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors. What to Expect During an Annual Checkup Wellness checkups typically are tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage. For example, if I’m examining an infant, I’ll measure her head circumference, while if I’m seeing an adoles- cent, I’ll review his body mass index (BMI) to ensure that he’s maintaining a healthy weight for his frame.

K I D S ’ H E A L T H & C A M P

In general, a wellness exam will cover: • Height and weight measurements • Growth milestones and how they compare with appropriate growth charts • Developmental milestones • Vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate • Eating habits • Exercise habits • Behavioral issues • Vaccinations The visit also will include a comprehensive physical exam. In general, the physician will examine your child’s: • Eyes and perform a vision screening (with corrective lenses if needed) • Ears, looking for excessive earwax, infections, perforated ear drums or items in ears (it happens!) • Nose, checking for polyps or septum deformities • Throat and mouth, looking at the tonsils, back of the throat and tongue (which can signal dehydration) and checking the teeth • Heart, checking for abnormal sounds such as murmur or abnormal rate or rhythm • Lungs, checking for abnormal breath sounds • Abdomen, feeling for masses or areas that are painful when touched • Genital exam, to ensure your child is developing normally • Skin, looking for rashes or skin lesions He or she also will perform a musculoskeletal exam to determine strength and stability. They will check and examine for any gait abnormalities, abnormal spine curvature, and your child’s ability to follow directions, for example seeing if your child can jump on one foot. What You Should Bring Open lines of communication – and information – are important. Be sure to bring or be ready to provide information about:

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ASK THE DOCTOR

JULY/AUGUST 2018