At least 95% of newborns in their first month get a hearing test, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. Out of 1,000 babies, at least one to three experience hearing loss at some level. This is just one of many reasons why well checks for kids are essential. Listed below are a few other reasons.

Development Monitoring

Development does not reference physical appearance. It references the social life of the child, the emotional health, and other factors that affect a child’s behavior. During wellness checks, a pediatrician will look at their behavior and inform the parents of any possible conditions. They also get to know if the environment the child is raised in is appropriate for their mental wellness and advise you accordingly.

Growth Monitoring

Growth monitoring measures the physical wellbeing of a child — their height, weight, and more. This will help the doctor consider the growth rate of a child and advise on any abnormalities. For instance, if a child’s weight is higher than anticipated, then there could be a concern for the future and a doctor may recommend diet or lifestyle changes.

Immunizations

Regular checks for kids ensure that you are up to date on the immunizations that they now require. Also, immunizations help protect your child from any illness that they may be exposed to. Ask your doctor what immunizations are required or recommended for your child at their age.

Screenings

During checkups, pediatricians will screen for several things. This includes hearing checks. Pediatricians also carry out eye screenings to ensure that a child is not facing any vision problems. If a child’s vision is blurry, the doctor may recommend the use of glasses or a visit with a specialist. They will look at the reflexes of the child and the range of motion and see if there is anything to pay attention to.

Well checks for kids are critical for their long-term health. Preventative care, as opposed to reactive care, is essential for children. You want to find solutions to anything sooner rather than later so that you can know you are doing everything you can to keep your child’s health in check. For more information, reach out to Pediatrix!