II. History: All Ages
- Consider pre-visit questionnaire
- Bright Futures (AAP) Toolkit
- Interval History
- Emergency Department Visits
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Living situation (split families, step-siblings... )
- Home safety
- Dietary intake
- See Nutrition Guidelines
- Food insecurity (esp. children living in poverty)
- Hunger Vital Sign
- Safe drinking water
- Consider introducing highly allergic foods (peanuts, eggs) age <1 to prevent food allergies
- Healthy Diet
- Maximize vegetable and fruit intake
- Whole grains
- Low fat and nonfat dairy products
- Beans, fish and lean meats
- Avoid fast food, Simple Sugars, highly processed foods
- Obesity prevention
- See high BMI management as below
- Avoid solid food introduction age <6 months
- Avoid juice <1 year old
- Limit 100% juice to 4 oz/day at 1-3 years, 4-6 oz/day at 4-6 years
- Exposures
- Second-hand smoke exposure
- Toileting
- Urination Problems
- Defecation Problems
-
Physical Activity
- Encourage at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exertion (active free play) daily
- Provide safe community places to play
-
Screen Time (television, computer, video games)
- Avoid screen use in under age 18 months (except video chatting)
- Educational applications may be used starting at 18 to 24 months
- At age 2-5 years limit Screen Time to 1 hour
- For older children limit Screen Time to <1-2 hours of high quality programming daily
- Keep screens out of bedrooms and avoid use within one hour of bed
- Screen Time averages 7.5 hours daily in the U.S.
- Over 4 hours of daily Screen Time is associated with Obesity
- High Screen Time is associated with poor sleep, depression, Myopia, worse school performance
- Adopt a Family Media Use Plan
-
Sleeping
- See Crib Safety
- Infants should sleep on their back on a firm mattress for the first year (no blankets, soft objects)
- Average school aged child sleeps more than 9 hours per night (9-12 hours per night is ideal)
- Inadequate sleep is associated with behavioral problems, poor school performance, Hypertension, Obesity
- See Sleep Problems in Children
- See Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
- Dental care practices
- See Oral Health in Children
- Wean bottle by age 12 months
- Avoid juices under age 12 months
- Young children see a dentist every 2 years, then start twice per year in school aged children
- Brush twice daily with pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste
- Flouride varnish applied to Primary Teeth at clinic visit
- Start flossing once 2 teeth touch one another
- Social
- Monitor child's internet use
- Parents should be aware of possible Bullying of their child
- Ask about and get to know your child's friends
-
Unintentional Childhood Injuries (leading cause of death among children)
- Most common causes of pediatric death are MVA, Drowning, gun shot wounds, Burn Injury
- Car and Bike Safety
- Car Seats
- Car Safety (no sitting in front seat age <13, and no riding in flat bed of pick-up truck)
- No all terain vehicle operation age <16 years
- Teach safe street crossing
- Seat Belts
- Bicycle helmets
- Helmets for football, lacrosse, hockey, Skiing, snow boarding, horse back riding
- Helmets when skate boarding and riding a scooter
- Home safety
- Stair gates and railings
- Window locks or guards
- Cabinet locks
- Crib Safety
- Furniture anchors
- Fire, Smoke and Burn Injury prevention
- Smoke Alarms (installed on each floor near bedrooms)
- Fire escape plan
- "Stay low and crawl" when encountering a smoke filled room
- "Stop, drop and roll" if clothing catches on fire
- Carbon Monoxide detectors (installed near sleep areas)
- Water heaters set to maximum of 120 F (49 C)
- Gun Safety
- Assure guns in the home are safely secured, locked and unloaded, separate from ammunition)
- Firearms are in one of three U.S. households
- Other
- Drowning Prevention
- Learn to swim at age 5 years
- Use personal floatation device while boating
- Continuous adult supervision around water, and surround pools with fence
- Poisoning Prevention
- Choke Hazards
- Drowning Prevention
- Skin protection
- Sunscreen (minimum of SPF 15)
III. History: Infants
- Birth history
- Gestational age
- Pregnancy and delivery complications
- Newborn Screening results
- Infant Feeding Problems
-
Postpartum Depression (screen at 1, 2, 4 and 6 month visits)
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
- PHQ-2 with reflex to PHQ-9
IV. History: School Age (age 5- 12 years)
- School performance and concerns
- See Learning Disorder
- See ADHD Diagnosis
- See Truancy
- See Bullying
- Cognitive, Emotional and Behavioral health
- Mood Disorder (Major Depression, Anxiety Disorder)
- Start screening at age 12 years (per AAP/USPTF, see adolescents below)
- Start screening for Anxiety Disorder at age 8 years (per USPTF)
- Behavioral Disorder
- Pediatric Symptom Checklist or Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Youth (5 min screening tool)
- Mood Disorder (Major Depression, Anxiety Disorder)
V. History: Adolescents (age 12 to 18 years)
- Interview children in the room without their parents
-
Mood Disorder screening
- Major Depression affects 2% of boys and 4% of girls ages 8 to 15 years old
- Of those with Major Depression ages 5-13 years old, 10% attempt Suicide
- Screen for Major Depression age 12 to 18 years with PHQ-2 (per AAP, USPTF)
- Also screen for Anxiety Disorder age 8 to 18 years (per USPTF)
- See Adolescent Depression
- See Childhood Depression
- Major Depression affects 2% of boys and 4% of girls ages 8 to 15 years old
-
Substance Abuse Screening (start discussing at age 11 per AAP)
- See CRAFFT questionnaire
- See Adolescent Chemical Dependency
- By age 13, 16% have tried Alcohol, 10% Cigarettes and 7% Marijuana (U.S., 2017)
- Tobacco Abuse
- Alcohol Abuse
- Drug Abuse
- Sexual activity screening
VI. Exam: Vital Signs
- Body Temperature (until after age 18 months)
-
Blood Pressure (annual screening starting at age 3 years of age per AAP)
- See Hypertension Criteria
- Screen annually after age 3 years for most children
- Screen at each visit for those children with higher risk conditions
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Aortic arch obstruction
- Aortic Coarctation
- Diabetes Mellitus
VII. Exam: Growth (review on growth curves at each visit)
- See Growth Assessment
- See Height Measurement in Children
- See Weight Measurement in Children
- Head Circumference (until age 2 years)
-
Body Mass Index annually starting at age 2 years old (age 6 years per USPTF)
- Overweight and Obesity Screening at Well Child Visits is a high yield activity (affects 32% of children and teens in U.S.)
- BMI >85% for age and gender is considered Overweight (>95% is Obesity)
- See Childhood Obesity for management
- Refer to comprehensive, intensive behavioral interventions (>25 contact hours)
VIII. Exam: General
- See Newborn Exam
- Complete physical examination
- Overall yield is low in healthy, asymptomatic children with normal growth
- Observe for signs of abuse (~1 Million children affected annually in U.S.)
- Scoliosis screening
- Visual screening at age 10 and 12 years in girls, 13-14 years in boys (per AAP)
- Not recommended by USPTF
- Testicular exam is recommended annually by AAP starting at age 11 years old (but not USPTF)
- Documenting descended Testicles pre-Puberty is critical (Cryptorchidism risk)
- Assess for sexual maturity and Precocious Puberty starting at age 7 years
- Evaluate for Testicular Masses, Hydrocele, Inguinal Hernia, Varicoceles
-
Eye Exam
- Red Reflex (until after age 2 years)
- Strabismus testing such as cover-uncover (until after age 2 years)
-
Vision (AAP)
- See Pediatric Vision Screening
- Instrument based screening (Autoscreening, Photorefractors) at age 12 and 36 months
- Formally check Vision (Snellen Chart) annually starting at age 4 years (per AAP, AAOS)
- Minimum Vision Screening once between age 3 and 5 years (USPTF)
- Obtain at age 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 years
- Refer if visual acquity worse than 20/40
-
Hearing Exam
- Subjective Hearing screening until age 3 years, then formal Hearing screening
- See Pediatric Hearing Screening
- Hearing screening (Audiometry) at age 5, 6, 8 and 10 years, and once between age 11 and 14 years
- Skin Exam
- See Nonaccidental Trauma Signs (physical abuse)
IX. Evaluation: Developmental Screening
-
General Screening (at each schedule well visit or at 9, 18 and 30 month visits)
- Age 2-4 months: Edinburgh Questionnaire or INI Questionnaire
- Age 4-18 months: ASQ Questionnaire, PEDS Questionnaire or INI Questionnaire
- Age 18-60 months: ASQ Questionnaire, PEDS Questionnaire or CDR Questionnaire
- Specific Screening: Perform for all children at specific visits
- Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT): Perform at 18 and 24 months (AAP)
- ASQ: SE Behavioral Screening: Perform at 6,12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48 and 60 months
- School readiness (age 4-5 years)
- Social and emotional development are key to success
- Assess ability to follow directions, attention
- Consider referral for support services
- Avoid delaying school entry (not helpful and may exacerbate behavioral problems)
- As needed screening in school age children
- School performance
- See Learning Disorder
- See ADHD Diagnosis
- Mood Disorder (Major Depression, Anxiety Disorder)
- Behavioral Disorder
X. Labs
- Newborn Screening (review results at first Well Child Visit)
- Hemoglobin At 9-12 months (AAP)
- Serum Lead level
- Screen high risk children between ages 6 months and 6 years old (AAP:)
-
Lipid panel
- Obtain once between ages 9 and 11 years old (AAP)
- Goal was early identification of Familial Hypercholesterolemia missed by Family History alone
- USPTF and AAFP do not recommend (False Positives, and unknown longterm Statin safety in children)
- Obtain once between ages 9 and 11 years old (AAP)
XI. Management: Immunizations
- See Pediatric Vaccination for schedule
- National Vaccination compliance is excellent until after age 6 years old in the U.S.
- Primary Series at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 15-18 months, as well as 4-6 years
- More than 60% of adolescents are not up-to-date on their Vaccines as of age 11 years old
- National Vaccination compliance is excellent until after age 6 years old in the U.S.
-
Influenza Vaccine
- October to March
- Give second dose in first season
XII. Management: Medications
-
Iron Supplementation
- Preterm Infants starting at 1 month of age
- Exclusively Breast fed infants starting at 6 months of age
-
Fluoride Supplementation
- Flouride varnish applied to Primary Teeth at clinic visit
- Fluoride Supplementation if inadequate fluoride in drinking water (0.6 ppm or less) for age 0.5 to 16 years
-
Vitamin D 400 IU daily (more if deficient)
- Vitamin D Deficiency may approach 50% Incidence (especially in northern latitudes)
- Vitamin D Supplementation 400 IU daily in exclusively Breast fed infants
- Consider Vitamin D Deficiency screening
XIII. Management: Referrals
- Dental visits starting at age 3 years
XIV. Management: Anticipatory Guidance Education
- Newborn: Jaundice, eating, sleep, maternal bonding
- Month 2: Colic, growth, sleep, sibling adjustment
- Month 4: Childcare, sleep, solid introduction
- Month 6: Child proofing
- Month 9: Child proofing, stranger anxiety
- Month 12: Discipline, shoes, walking, turning Car Seat
- Month 15: Discipline, Time-Out
- Month 18: Temper tantrums, sleep problems
- Month 24: Toilet Training, sleep problems, speech development
- Month 36: Eating patterns, socialization, books
- Month 48: Speech, school readiness
- Month 60: Behavioral consequences
XV. Resources
- Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (AAP, Bright Futures)
- AAP Screening Tools
XVI. References
- Neale (2008) Park Nicollet Primary Care Update Lecture, St. Louis Park, MN
- Riley (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(4):213-8 [PubMed]
- Riley (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(4):219-26 [PubMed]
- Riley (2011) Am Fam Physician 83(6): 689-94 [PubMed]
- Riley (2011) Am Fam Physician 83(6): 683-8 [PubMed]
- Turner (2018) Am Fam Physician 98(6): 347-53 [PubMed]