Why do you need a children’s medical examination and how to undergo it?
Until the age of 18, a child is actively developing. Many complex processes take place in his body: from the formation of the microbiome and the appearance of the first teeth to bone growth and the onset of puberty. It is important to ensure that there are no malfunctions in the functioning of all organs and systems. This can be done through medical examination – a comprehensive examination that includes consultations with doctors and tests.
In Russia, medical examination you can go free of charge at the clinic at your place of residence. Parents have the right to refuse all or part of the child’s examinations, but it is important to remember that checks allow you to notice warning signs in time and reduce the risks of serious health problems in adulthood. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly visit doctors of various specializations, and not just a pediatrician.
Works to ensure that free medical care is available to all children national project “Healthcare”. Thanks to his initiatives, children’s hospitals are being built and reconstructed in Russia, and clinics throughout the country are equipped with modern equipment. In order for a child to undergo medical examination, parents simply need to make an appointment with a local pediatrician at the reception of a children’s clinic, by calling a medical organization or online in the “Health” section of the “Government Services” portal. You only need to take your compulsory medical insurance policy with you.
When does a child need comprehensive examinations?
Up to a year, a pediatrician examines the newborn every month. Then you need to visit this specialist once a year. After two years, regular visits to the dentist are also necessary. The list of other doctors may vary. In-depth medical examination is carried out at the birth of a child, at one month, 1 and 3 years, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 years.
Up to a year
As a rule, the child is examined for the first time in the maternity hospital. The following examinations are provided here:
- Anthropometry – measurement of body weight and length, head and chest circumference.
- Audiological screening — hearing testing is carried out on the 3rd–4th day after birth.
- Cardiac screening — measurement of pressure, blood oxygen filling (pulse oximetry) and heart rate. It is also prescribed on the 3rd–4th day after birth.
- Neonatal screening — examination of capillary blood for hereditary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, congenital hypothyroidism and others. It is performed on the 4th–5th day after birth or on the 7th day in a premature baby.
After discharge from the maternity hospital, young parents will have to visit the clinic every month. In-depth inspections are carried out by:
- At 1 month. At this age, the child should see a neurologist, pediatric surgeon, ophthalmologist, and pediatric dentist. He also undergoes ultrasound of the abdominal organs, kidneys, hip joints, echocardiography, and neurosonography. A hearing test is carried out if it was not performed in the maternity hospital.
- At 2 months. You need to take general blood and urine tests.
- At 3 months. The child is examined by a traumatologist-orthopedist.
- At 12 months. A neurologist, a pediatric surgeon, an otorhinolaryngologist, an orthopedic traumatologist, and an ophthalmologist are waiting for an appointment. In addition, the child must pass general blood and urine tests and undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG).
3 years
You will need to undergo general blood and urine tests, as well as be examined by an ophthalmologist, neurologist, surgeon, and otorhinolaryngologist. For the first time, girls need to be shown to a pediatric gynecologist, and boys – to a pediatric urologist-andrologist. These doctors check whether the external genitalia are developing properly. Such an inspection passes after the written consent of the parents and only in their presence. The doctor must have a specialization in pediatric gynecology. If there is no such specialist in the clinic at the place of residence, the child will be sent to another medical institution.
6 years
An in-depth health check allows you to determine whether a child is ready for school. In addition to the specialists he has already attended in three years, he will have to visit new ones:
- Endocrinologist. He will not only examine the thyroid gland, but will also evaluate the functioning of the entire system of endocrine glands. This allows you to determine, for example, whether the child has growth retardation.
- Traumatologist-orthopedist. The visit is needed to make sure that the child’s posture and gait are okay, and to decide whether there are any signs of flat feet.
- Child psychiatrist. At the appointment, the preschooler’s speech and behavior are assessed—for example, they check for hyperactivity.
In addition, at this age it is recommended to do general blood and urine tests, a comprehensive ultrasound of the abdominal organs and ultrasound of the kidneys, echocardiography and ECG.
7 years
School and clubs are quite a serious burden for a first-grader. He not only gains knowledge, but also learns to adapt to a new environment. Medical examination will allow you to check how the child’s body copes. The child traditionally expects visits to the pediatrician and dentist. You also need to make an appointment with three other specialists:
- Neurologist. He will check how the child’s central and peripheral nervous systems are developing. If a student begins to have headaches or any other pain, or has problems sleeping, this should be discussed with a specialist.
- Ophthalmologist. A consultation will allow you to notice vision problems in time and correct the process. Yes, myopia meets in 6–8% of junior schoolchildren. The disease can interfere not only with learning, but also with understanding the world in general.
- Otorhinolaryngologist. The visit is needed to assess whether everything is okay with the nasal septum and whether the child cleans his ears correctly.
In addition, at this age you need to undergo general urine and blood tests.
10 years
The list of specialists is the same as at seven years old. Additionally, you need to visit a pediatric endocrinologist and orthopedic traumatologist. The first will check how puberty is progressing, and the second will help determine whether the child has flat feet or scoliosis.
The year 2024 has been announced in Russia Year of the family. This is a good reason to remember that it is important to take care of the health of not only children, but also parents. Adults can also undergo medical examination for free. From 18 to 39 years old, it is recommended to see doctors once every three years. So, in 2024, those born in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006 are expected to receive an appointment. After 40 years, medical examination is available every year.
If you do not fall under the medical examination schedule, you will be able to undergo a free preventive examination. You can make an appointment with a local therapist in the “Health” section of the “State Services” portal, at the clinic’s reception desk, or by calling a medical organization.
14 years
In addition to the pediatrician and dentist, you will have to visit a teenage psychiatrist. Many mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia begin to appear at an early age. At the doctor’s appointment will appreciateare there any warning signs?
Also, girls need to come for an examination to an obstetrician-gynecologist, and boys – to a pediatric urologist-andrologist. By the way, after this age, a visit to specialists is necessary annually. Until the age of 14, gynecologists usually examine girls on a couch, and after that they offer a chair. Parents should be told in advance how this process goes so that the child does not experience discomfort.
15–17 years old
During this period, you need to see doctors every year, and the list of specialists, as a rule, is the same. Among them are a pediatrician, a pediatric surgeon, a pediatric dentist, a pediatric endocrinologist, a neurologist, an orthopedic traumatologist, an ophthalmologist, an otolaryngologist, an adolescent psychiatrist, an obstetrician-gynecologist for girls, and a pediatric urologist-andrologist for boys.
In addition, general blood and urine tests will be needed. At 15 and 17 years old, a teenager should undergo an ultrasound of the abdominal organs and electrocardiography. You can also do an ultrasound of your kidneys at age 15. Teenagers over 15 years old can pass medical examination and visit specialists independently.
