As a parent, you always watch your child to ensure they are healthy. However, you do not have to wait till your child says they are not feeling good to take them to see a doctor. Bastrop well child exams are an important part of your child’s development as these wellness exams can detect potential health issues early. Well-child exams also act as preventive health care because catching some symptoms of illnesses will ensure early treatment. Please read the following discussion to know what services are available for your child during their wellness visit.

Checking Vital Signs

There are four basic vital signs that your child’s doctor will check during a well-child exam. First, your child’s doctor will check the body temperature, which should range between 37 to 38 degrees Celsius. A high body temperature may mean an infection or a fever. A low body temperature could also mean a serious infection in your child. Second, your doctor will check your blood pressure and order necessary tests if there are concerns. Respiratory and heart rates are other vital signs your doctor will check to ensure they are within the normal range.

Vision Screening

During this session, your doctor will check your child’s eyes and vision and help detect vision issues. Certain eye problems may present no symptoms, and screening during a well-child exam will allow your doctor to detect them. Also, some vision issues may lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated in childhood. The vision screening for your child will depend on your child’s age to measure eye position, the focus of light in the eye, and the reflection of light off the eye.

Listening To the Heart and Abdomen

First, your doctor will place a stethoscope in different positions of your chest to hear the sound of the valves, blood flow, and tissue vibration. Certain sounds like swishing may mean a heart murmur. Next, your doctor will listen to your child’s lungs by placing a stethoscope and moving it up and down to compare their sounds. Lastly, your doctor will listen to the sounds of your intestines as they may indicate constipation, bowel obstruction, ileus, and diarrhea.

Observing Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Your child’s fine motor skill involves performing activities requiring hand-eye coordination. Your child should be able to grip objects, use both hands and use a finger to pick up something. On the other hand, gross motor skills require large muscle groups and more energy than fine motor skills. Such movements include jumping, climbing stairs, walking, and kicking. A delay in motor skills could result from neurological conditions.

Updating Immunizations

During well-child visits, your doctor will ensure your child grows and develops on the right track. The immunization schedule begins at birth and will continue until later in your child’s life. Therefore, your child will receive necessary immunizations during visits.

A well-child exam describes your child’s health to ensure your doctor meets their medical needs and ensures they are developing normally. You will likely have frequent wellness visits during your child’s early years and reduce to annual exams once they are old. Vital signs will explain basic body functions, and motor skills will mean neurological conditions. You will learn how to help your child improve their motor functions at home. You can also use a well-child exam to discuss your concerns about your child’s health.