Routine health check-up: in the third year

The goal of preventive routine health check-up at this age is to check the growth, development and health status of your child and give further recommendations for her/his successful progress.

Your child is increasingly active in and out of the house. S/he walks, runs, climbs and requires your continuous attention. S/he probably likes to play pretend games and develops imagination. S/he uses more and more types of words in his/her speech and forms a sentence of two to four words. 

Preparing for a visit  

  • Check to see if there is any of your child's medical records that needs to be taken to a pediatrician. 

  • Don't forget your child's favorite toy or booklet and water bottle. 

  • Medical examination and assessment of development: The doctor will perform a regular clinical examination of your child, talk to him/her and monitor how s/he behaves. 

 

Contents of the preventive visit 

  • Assessment of development. 

  • Growth monitoring: measurements of body length, body weight and head circumference.

  • Introductory interview: The doctor will check how much the child has grown in the meantime. S/he will be interested in nutrition, physical activity, sleeping, playing, learning, attending preschool. The doctor/nurse will also talk about the importance of reading to the child, playing, including together with other children of his/her age.It is important to discuss the possible risks to the child's health, instructions regarding the usage of helmet while riding bicycle. Remember that this is an opportunity to get some useful recommendations for introducing the necessary changes. 

  • Medical examination and assessment of development: The doctor will examine your child: the mouth, nose, ears; will check the heart and lungs; will palpate his/her stomach; check posture. During the review, you can make some observations, ask questions and ask for clarifications for some doubts. This will also be an opportunity to discuss child development and assess how is child developing across different domains. 

  •  Vision and hearing screening may also be performed during this check up.

  •  Healthy life style: The team will talk to you about prevention of exposure to tobacco smoke, limiting screen exposure to less than 2 hours daily, Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle especially bottle containing formula or sweetened beverage, safe exposure to sunlight, and how to transport your baby safely in car. In addition the team will discuss the advantages and benefits of the child participation in family meals. Issues of teeth and oral hygiene are also discussed. 

Vaccination 

  • There is no planned vaccination at this age. 

  • If your child has not received all the necessary vaccines in the first two years of life and is of good health, s/he will receive the missing dose of the vaccine. 

Final opinion 

  • Based on all the information obtained, the doctor will finally share her/his assessment and an opinion on the health and development of your child. 

  • In the event that a child needs a more detailed assessment and more intensive support for a developmental area, he or she will be referred to an appropriate expert or developmental counseling center. 

  • You will be informed when is the next health check-up expected and may give you some written material. 

 

The speed of development is gradually slowing down, but your child still needs continuous attention, monitoring and appropriate support. Use the preventive routine health check-up to strengthen support to your child!