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Winter 2016
COMMUNITY
Looking for a pediatrician?
Butterfield Park Pediatrics &Walk-In Clinic is accepting new patients.
Call
417-777-2121
to make an appointment.
There are two kinds
of trips to the
pediatrician: those when your child is
sick and those when he or she is well.
Well-child checkups can be just as
important as the visits for illness. They
give you the tools you need to keep your
child healthy year-round—and for a
lifetime.
According to the American Academy
of Pediatrics, at a childhood checkup
you may expect:
A physical exam.
Among other
things, the doctor will measure your
child’s height and weight, listen to
the heart and lungs, and press lightly
on the abdomen to check the health
of internal organs.
A developmental assessment.
The
doctor may ask about emotional and
behavioral health. For example, you
may discuss a baby’s developmental
milestones—such as smiling, clapping
and learning to walk—or how older
children are doing in school.
A preventive medicine checkup.
Your child may get vaccines or screening
tests. For example, at some visits, vision
or hearing may be tested. Doctors may
also test lead and cholesterol levels and
for diseases such as tuberculosis.
Don’t hesitate to ask the doctor
questions during a checkup.
Why your child needs them
Up to age 1:
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Newborn.
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3 to 5 days.
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1 month.
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2 months.
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4 months.
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6 months.
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9 months.
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12 months.
Risks for a number
of
health problems increase as
people age. These include
arthritis, cataracts and
certain cancers. Sometimes,
a combination of genetics
and environmental
factors—including your
lifestyle—puts you at risk
as well.
By working with your
doctor, you can better
understand your specific
risks. Just as important,
you can learn how to head
off those things that pose
some of the greatest risks.
For example, your doctor
might recommend that
you stop smoking, improve
your diet, get moving
and have recommended
screening tests. In
some cases, you might
need medication.
If you already have
a health problem, it’s
important to work closely
with your doctor. Doing
so can help you manage
your condition. And
that can help you live as
healthfully as possible.
Sources: AGS Foundation for Health in
Aging; National Institutes of Health
CHECKUPS
Keep in
touch
with your
doctor
WELLNESS
When to get
checkups
In general, the American
Academy of Pediatrics
recommends checkups
at the following ages:
Ages 1 to 4:
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15 months.
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18 months.
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24 months.
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30 months.
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3 years.
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4 years.
Ages 5 to 21:
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Annual exams
through the age
of 21.
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Your pediatrician
may recommend
more visits if
necessary.