Well-Child Checkups

What is a well-child checkup?

A well-child checkup is a preventive healthcare visit with your child’s pediatrician. These checkups begin shortly after your child is born and continue annually until your child turns 18.

Your child doesn’t need to be sick to benefit from routine preventive exams. These checkups present an opportunity to ask your child’s pediatrician questions, identify underlying medical conditions, and ensure your child meets all of their developmental milestones. 

What do well-child checkups involve?

At the offices of Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, well-child checkups involve a three-step process:

Step 1: Physical exam

A physical exam assesses your child’s general health. During a physical, the team:

• Measures and weighs your child
• Takes your child’s temperature
• Listens to your child’s heart and respiratory rate
• Takes your child’s blood pressure
• Examines your child's skin
• Examines your child’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat
• Gently presses on your child’s abdomen to feel their internal organs
• Tests your child’s reflexes

The team also orders lab testing, including blood work and urinalysis, to screen for medical conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and nutrient deficiencies.

Step 2: Developmental assessment

As children grow, they reach specific developmental milestones. For example, crawling, walking, speaking, and following instructions. The Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, team assesses your child’s development at each checkup. They also ask about your child’s social skills and learning behaviors. 

Tell your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns. Since you spend time with your child daily, parent observations play a crucial role in guiding treatment. 

Step 3: Vaccines

Vaccines, or immunizations, train your child’s immune system to defend against harmful microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. The type of vaccines your child needs at each checkup depends on their age, health history, and activities. Common childhood vaccines include the flu shot, the polio vaccine, and the chickenpox vaccine.

How do I prepare for a well-child checkup?

Well-child checkups don’t require special preparation, but you can speed up the visit and ensure things go smoothly by writing down your questions, concerns, and observations. The Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, team recommends documenting:

• Changes in your child’s health and development
• Your child’s eating habits
• Changes in social behaviors
• Any unusual symptoms that you notice (like a skin condition, for example)

Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your child’s appointment. The team focuses on comprehensive patient care and is committed to helping kids stay healthy.

Call the nearest Dewi S. Sudjono-Santoso, MD, PA, office to schedule a well-child checkup for your child, or book an appointment online today.