When should I get my child to a doctor?

Are there any emergencies for which I should contact you immediately?

Yes, If the child is having breathing difficulties, has a fall, met an accident, is bleeding, or is dull and not responding appropriately or has consumed some unknown substance / medicine, or having a convulsion he / she should be seen by a doctor immediately.

Till what age should my child be seen by the Pediatrician?

From birth (some-times even before that) till eighteen years of age

When should I get my child for routine examination?

Every child should be seen at the time of the birth by a pediatrician. The pediatrician would fix an appointment for a revisit to the clinic after the discharge of the mother from the hospital. If the child is born at home, then he / she can be brought to the pediatrician’s clinic as soon as feasible to check if everything is OK.

I have a newly born baby. Do I need to get his / her hearing tested? 

Every new born should get his ears screened for hearing impairment by a simple method OAE. An un-diagnosed hearing loss would lead to speech delay and learning impairment too.

Should I get my child’s thyroid tested? Are there some other tests also recommended in the new born period?

Thyroid dysfunction is common and easily picked up by a blood test at the time of birth and easy to treat. Early interventions for hypothyroidism are important and the effects are life-long for your child. One should get this screening test done. 

Some more metabolic conditions of the child can be assessed through Newborn Screening along with Thyroid test in early neonatal period. Consult your doctor for details

How do I come to know about the latest vaccines that are due for my child?

The vaccines start at the time of birth. Your doctor would schedule the visits for your child’s subsequent vaccinations. On administration of the vaccine the next date would be informed to you.

Are the new vaccines available at the government hospitals / centers?

The government provides vaccines for only for diseases covered under the Universal immunization program (UIP). The new vaccines take time to be included in the national program. But you must talk to your doctor to understand the need and the protection provided by these newer vaccines against a variety of deadly diseases and then take your own decision.

Should I give my child pulse polio vaccine from the people who come to visit our house during the polio days announced by the government?  

Yes, every time. Recently our country has become polio free. The last case was reported on January 13, 2011. This has been possible due to the participation of all of you in the pulse polio program. But we have to be cautious as this disease may return back, unless our children are fully protected. The experts have designed a strategy which needs to be followed up by all of us till this is needed as announced by the government agencies.

How long would these vaccination sessions last? I see a college going child and my uncle also going for vaccinations.

Vaccinations provide protection against diseases. It is the most economical measure against the prevention of a serious, sometimes life threatening diseases. Certain diseases are more prevalent than others at specific ages. Vaccinations are recommended for all age groups including adolescents, adults and elderly. It is in interest of individual to identify the requirements and weigh the benefits against the risks of disease to opt for these vaccines.

I am worried about the growth of my child. My child’s height is not growing.

Both the parents should visit the clinic with the birth records as well as the growth / vaccination charts for complete evaluation. It could be simple condition or complex endocrinal disorder and requires thorough investigations.

When should I start solid foods for my child?

Normally, in an exclusively breast fed child, the child should be put on solid foods at six months of age. You must visit your doctor to discuss the special needs of the child at this age. With every aging month, the plan for diet changes for the child. Your child might need a different plan from others. Consult your doctor for details.

Our cognitive skills, growth and development are highly influenced by the diet plan in the first 1000 days of our lives. Right from conception till 2 years after birth, careful foods have to be chosen for an optimal outcome. Some of the damages due to deficiencies in this phase of life are known to be permanent and irreparable.

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