It’s that time of the year again – summer’s over and your kids are starting a new school year. This is always an exciting and slightly stressful time of the year. Whether it’s your child’s first year or fifth year of school, getting back in the routine can be hard for children (and parents too). A new school year means meeting new teachers, buying new school supplies, enrolling them in extracurricular activities, and so much more.
With so many things to plan and organize, there’s one thing that shouldn’t be excluded: your child’s annual physical exam. While it’s tempting to postpone it for a later date, the beginning of the school year is a perfect excuse to cross it off your to-do list. Here’s why.
Importance of Annual Physical Exams for kids
Annual physical exams are important for people of all ages, but they’re especially crucial for children during their developmental years. While your child may appear healthy, a lot can change in a year. During the exam, your doctor will determine if your child is developing at a normal rate or if there are developmental differences between other kids of the same age.
There are multiple reasons why a yearly physical exam is important, with early diagnosis being one of them. At DFW Family Clinic, we prioritize preventative care, as it’s one of the most effective ways to take care of your health. While you may not notice any irregular symptoms in your child, their doctor may be able to identify early signs of illnesses. By getting an early diagnosis, there’s a better chance of treating it successfully with fewer long-term side effects.
Physical exams also offer both the patient and the parents the opportunity to discuss health matters with the doctor; this can involve a range of topics such as their diet, hygiene, development, and much more. And since this is something that should be done on a yearly basis, it helps them create a trusting patient-doctor relationship that inspires a higher level of confidence. Not only will this help your child feel more comfortable with their healthcare provider, but it also helps the doctor build a comprehensive record of your child’s health. This helps them better identify if there are any noticeable changes in their health or development.
By getting a physical examination at the beginning of the school year, you’re protecting your child as well as the other children at the school. Since you never truly know the health status of other children or if they’re up to date on their vaccines, it’s better to be cautious and make sure they start the school year with good health.
Importance of Annual Physical Exams for kids
At your well child care appointment, you can expect the following services:
-
Check medical history:
Your child’s medical history helps the doctor identify past surgeries, injuries, medication use, family history, and previous or existing health concerns. This information helps them understand the status of your child’s health, if they’re up to date with their vaccines, and if there are any conditions that they should be carefully monitoring.
-
Physical examination:
Physical examinations may vary depending on the age of your child, but they will typically examine your child’s physical development, check their heart rate and other vital signs, and check their vision and hearing. This allows them to monitor any developmental or functional problems.
-
Growth Chart:
Growth charts are used to compare your child’s height, weight, and head size against children of the same age. Growth charts are also personalized, as a boy will have different chart parameters than a girl. This is a powerful tool as it helps parents and healthcare providers monitor for early signs of medical problems; children that are not in good health often show signs of diminished growth.
-
Vaccines:
Vaccines not only protect your children from life-threatening diseases, but it also protects others around them. Though many of your child’s vaccinations will be completed by the time they’re 6 years old, some vaccines are given more than once or at different ages. Since the school year means lots of new friends and classmates, being up to date on vaccines is a way to keep them protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. If your child does need a vaccine, they will be screened before the vaccine is administered to prevent adverse reactions.
-
Eye Exam:
Prevention is key in your child’s overall eye health. That’s why we’ll examine and monitor your child’s eyes for early signs of eye disease, which can help prevent future vision loss. If there are any abnormalities, we will refer you to an experienced eye doctor.
-
Blood Work:
Blood work is not always required in annual physical exams. When your child is 4 years old, which is right before they start school, it’s recommended that they get a general blood work analysis done. This is aimed to check that the child has a healthy immune system, as they will be exposed to new pathogens carried by other children. Aside from this test, blood tests are only usually recommended if the child has a specific health issue that requires yearly maintenance and monitoring.
-
Health/Developmental Guidance
As mentioned, this annual exam is an opportunity to voice any health or developmental concerns. This can include questions or concerns about their weight, diet, menstrual cycle, lifestyle habits, and more.
Where to Get Annual Physical Exam
As you know, well child checks during the first year are frequent and important in the development of your child. Now that they’re older, their check-ups aren’t as frequent, but their yearly appointment is still crucial in maintaining their health and monitoring their growth and development.
The benefits of annual physical exams are countless when they’re done regularly and with someone you trust. At DFW Family Clinic, our healthcare physicians have experience working with kids and teenagers of all ages. If you want to start the school year off right with an annual exam, or have any questions regarding the health of you or your family members, please give us a call.
