As a child, I've always been sickly, so it was normal for me to be at the pediatrician at least every three months. But when my asthma attacks lessened, my parents stopped taking me to the pedia regularly, unless I got sick again.
But Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist, recommends "well-child visits," or more regular check-ups to the doctor even when kids are not ill. Each visit should include a complete physical examination that will assess the child's growth and development and help identify problems that can be treated early.
"Parents should be vigilant when it comes to ensuring the health of their children," says Dr. Ong-Lim. "Even when children LOOK healthy, there may be problems parents cannot immediately see. With a doctor's help, parents can become partners in preventing illness from affecting their children."
The philosophy of a well-child visit includes the concept of protecting children against diseases while ensuring that immunizations are available beyond their infant years. Dr. Ong-Lim also stresses that children's vaccinations should be relevant based on their level of exposure, and should be up to date even through their teenage years.
Parents should make the most out of each visits by writing down their important questions and concerns even before a scheduled consult. When done regularly, well-child consults can very well fight preventable diseases.
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