The early years of life are the period when children's bodies and brains develop fastest. From height, weight to movement, language and behavior, all changes occur continuously. However, in the busy pace of life, many parents only focus on feeding and resting their children, neglecting periodic health check-ups.
According to Dr. Meena, senior pediatric and neonatal consultant at Aakash Healthcare (India), periodic health check-ups are the most effective way to monitor the overall development of children. These check-ups are not only to check physical condition but also to help detect early abnormal signs that may have long-term effects on health.
At each examination, pediatricians assess the developmental milestones, motor ability, communication and cognition of children. Problems such as developmental delays, motor disorders, vision, hearing or nutritional deficiencies are often difficult to recognize by normal parental observation, but can be detected early through professional examination. When detected promptly, adjustment or treatment will bring higher efficiency.
In addition, periodic check-ups also help ensure that children are fully and on schedule vaccinated. Vaccination is an important measure to help children prevent dangerous infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough or polio. Delaying or missing vaccinations can put children at higher risk of disease, especially in crowded living environments. Regular health check-ups are also an opportunity for parents to receive accurate medical instructions on daily childcare.
According to Dr. Meena, during regular check-ups, pediatricians will guide parents on safe sleeping positions for children, appropriate diets for each age group, as well as lifestyles and exercises to help children develop healthily. These advices are based on medical evidence, helping parents avoid following unverified information on social networks.
Not only beneficial for children, periodic health check-ups also help parents feel more secure in the process of raising children. This is an opportunity for parents to directly discuss with doctors about common problems such as eating, sleeping, behavior or abnormal signs of children and receive timely advice. Maintaining regular check-ups also contributes to building a reliable relationship between family and medical facility, thereby helping the health care process for children later become more convenient and less stressful.
According to experts, periodic health check-ups from birth to the early years of life are the foundation for long-term healthy development. Proactively monitoring health not only helps detect problems early but also brings peace of mind and necessary knowledge for parents in the journey of raising children.
