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]
