Keeping Your Child Healthy: The Latest Guidelines for Well-Child Visits

For 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its recommendations for well-child checkups from birth through age 21. The new guidelines strengthen the focus on prevention and finding problems early, when treatment has the best chance of success.

One of the biggest changes is the addition of screening for autism disorders in the second year of life. This change comes on the heels of AAP guidelines that help doctors identify the signs of autism and refer children for treatment. Early intervention has been shown to have long-term benefits.

In general, the update includes more well-child visits in the early years and some changes in the testing done during these visits. The added visits help doctors:

• Keep immunizations on schedule
• Observe the developing child more closely
• Address any concerns the parents have

These extra visits can also help a doctor know a child better and build a trusting relationship.

What's changed for 2008?
The main changes include:

• Checking newborns within two to three days after hospital discharge for feeding problems and jaundice
• Screening for developmental problems at ages 9, 18 and 30 months
• Screening for autism at 18 and 24 months
• Referral to a dentist starting at 12 months
• Checking body mass index (BMI) starting at 24 months, which can help a doctor assess the risk for weight-related problems
• Assessing for risk factors of cholesterol problems (dyslipidemia) at ages 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years and then every year, with cholesterol testing done between ages 18 and 21
• Three new routine visits, at ages 30 months, 7 years and 9 years

How often does my child need a checkup?
The AAP recommends that:

• Newborns should see their doctor within three to five days after birth and within two to three days after leaving the hospital.
• Babies should be seen at age 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months.
• Toddlers should be seen at age 15 months, 18 months, 24 months and 30 months.
• After age 3, children should see their doctor once a year.

These guidelines are for healthy children. Children who have health problems or are at risk may need to see their doctor more often.

Insurance companies may have their own schedule for well-child visits. Check your policy to see how many well-child visits are covered.

Click here to see the full recommendations developed by the AAP.

Related Articles Suggested Checkups and Tests for Children Suggested Immunizations for Children Is Your Child Adequately Immunized to Begin School? Recognizing the Warning Signs of Autism

External Sources AAP Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine and Bright Futures Steering Committee. Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. Pediatrics. 2007;120(6):1376. Accessed January 9, 2008. Plauché Johnson C, Myers SM, Council on Children with Disabilities. Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007;120(5):1183-1215. Accessed January 9, 2008. Myers SM, Plauché Johnson C, Council on Children with Disabilities. Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007;120(5):1162-1182. Accessed January 9, 2008.

Search