Get Well Child Examination

Anticipatory guidance should include information on the vulnerability of infants to infectious disease, sudden infant death syndrome,5 and shaken baby syndrome. Born with unstable physical functions such as temperature control, breathing, and swallowing, the infant develops smoother functioning over time.

There are also three main components your pediatrician assesses during a well-child check: development, growth and screenings/vaccines.

Growth charts are used to compare your child's height, weight, and head size against children of the same age. Growth charts can help both you and your health care provider follow your child as they grow. These charts may provide an early warning that your child has a medical problem.

A complete history during the well-child visit includes information about birth history; prior screenings; diet; sleep; dental care; and medical, surgical, family, and social histories. A head-to-toe examination should be performed, including a review of growth.

Education and counseling provided during a medical checkup help the child and parent/guardian understand expected growth and development. Anticipatory guidance also serves to provide information about the benefits of healthy lifestyles and practices, as well as accident and disease prevention.

Anticipatory guidance provides information on the child's nutrition status and on what to expect as the child enters the next developmental period, and promotes a positive attitude about food and healthy eating behaviors.

Anticipatory guidance, specific to the age of the patient, includes information about the benefits of healthy lifestyles and practices that promote injury and disease prevention. Common examples of anticipatory guidance include reminding parents to have their children use bicycle helmets and to use sunscreen.

An example of anticipatory guidance would be a discussion on ambulation of an infant with a warning about possible tooth trauma that often occurs as the infant learns to stand and walk.