Routine health check-up: at 12 - 15 months

Your child is conquering the space around him: he sits on his own, walks next to the furniture and starts to take his first independent steps. He knows the names of the housemates, the names of some objects from the environment, and he probably already has a word that he pronounces with meaning. He spontaneously asks to share interests and you are getting better at monitoring and supporting his development. 

Preparing for a visit 

In addition to the usual things, don't forget to bring: 

• Your child's favorite toy 

• Covered glass with clean water 

• questions that you will ask the pediatrician 

Contents of the preventive visit 

• Assessment of developm.  

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

• Introductory interview and counseling:  At this age, there are a number of topics you would like to discuss with a doctor but development is at the forefront. You will talk about: how the child moves in space; how she understands orders and how she asks for something she wants; how to play with you; which self-help skills she mastered: does she eat from her hand, began to learn to use a spoon, a cup, etc. There are also topics related to: transition to family nutrition, child safety and protection from injuries, preparation for inclusion into childcare, etc. If a developmental assessment questionnaire was applied, you will jointly go through the development areas.  

• Medical examination and developmental assessment:  The pediatrician will perform a regular clinical examination of the child in the order you are already familiar with. They will offer her an item and monitor her behavior as well as her behavior towards you. 

• Healthy life style: The team will talk to you about prevention of exposure to tobacco smoke, prevention of early media exposure, Avoiding of putting the baby to bed with a 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  

• They will check which vaccines your child has received so far. 

• If she has received all the necessary vaccines in accordance with the valid immunization calendar, the doctor/nurse will check: How did she react to the already given vaccines? Has your child shown an allergy to any medication or food? Does she use any medications? Does she live with a known condition of weakened immunity? Is there anyone in the family who has weakened immunity ? 

• Between 12-18 month of age (depending on the national immunization schedule of each country), children get the following vaccinations:

            - The vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (and possibly also against chickenpox).

            - Revaccination against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. 

           -  The fouth dose of the combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hemophilus influenza b

• The nurse will give the necessary vaccines and explain to you that in the second week after the vaccination, you can expect a mild post-vaccination reaction in the form of a temperature jump, perhaps a rash that will spontaneously recede. 

Final opinion  

• At the end of the visit, the doctor will give you the remaining information related to your child's health and recommendations for further activities. 

• You will receive a referral for a laboratory blood test in a child. 

• If there is a need to be examined by another specialist or expert from the development counseling center, they will give appropriate instructions 

• They will inform you about the date of the next visit. 

Remember that a preventive health check-up is an opportunity to check the growth, development and health of your child, but also an opportunity to get recommendations for further support for her progress. Don't miss this opportunity!