Know when it’s time to take your child to the doctor

Keeping your children healthy is a constant concern for parents. Although children often appear healthy, regular visits to the pediatrician are essential to ensure proper development and prevent future problems for children.

A quantity of necessary visits to the pediatrician It will depend on the age of the child and the specific needs of each case, according to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP). However, the first consultation should be made even before birth.

“It is recommended that the first consultation be carried out in the last trimester of pregnancy, since the pregnant woman’s lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity, sleep and stress, affect the baby’s health”, explains pediatrician Paulo Telles.

The report of CNN heard three pediatricians to clarify which ones most common warning signs in children and explain when it’s time to take the little ones to the doctor . Check it out below!

Newborns up to 1 year old

In the first months of life, medical appointments are more frequent, the first being in the first few days after birth.

“In the most common situations, the recommendation is three consultations for babies aged five to 30 days; once a month between two and six months of age; and one visit every two months from the baby’s seventh month onwards”, explains Aline Piedade, a pediatrician from the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP).

These appointments are important for monitoring growth, development and administering essential vaccines.

From 1 to 3 years old

After the first year, appointments can be spaced out to every three months until the child is two years old, and then every six months until the child is three years old.

At this stage, attention turns to motor skills, language development and socialization.

Over 4 years old

For healthy children, annual checkups are sufficient after age 4. These visits include physical exams, vaccination updates, and discussions about eating and sleeping habits.

For children over 11 years old and adolescents up to 18 years old, the recommendation is to have annual appointments, which may be every six months or even more frequently depending on each patient.

At this stage, the focus is not only on physical health, but also on emotional and social well-being. It is an important period for the professional to provide information about puberty, sexuality and mental health.

“In adolescence, there are more questions related to biopsychosocial behavior growth is faster again, things are very agile in adolescence. It is important to pay attention to physical activity, diet, issues related to a sedentary lifestyle, anxiety and psychiatric issues in general, since it is a time of many changes”, explains Silvana Vertematti, pediatrician at the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (HSPE).

Warning signs

In addition to regular checkups, parents should be aware of some signs that indicate the need to seek medical help. See the main warning signs listed by professionals:

• Fever: a temperature of 38° that persists for more than 72 hours may be indicative of infections;
• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea: especially if they are accompanied by signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, lack of tears when crying and reduced amount of urine;
• Difficulty breathing: rapid breathing, wheezing, or visible effort to breathe;
• Changes in appetite: persistent refusal of food and liquids or difficulty breastfeeding;
• Changes in behavior: apathy, excessive irritability or changes in sleep;
• Pain: persistent pain in any part of the body, especially the head, abdomen or chest should be investigated.

Vaccination schedule

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect children and adolescents against various diseases, many of which are considered serious. Therefore, following the vaccination schedule recommended by the Ministry of Health ensures that your child is protected.

“Keeping children’s vaccinations up to date is essential to protect them against serious and potentially fatal diseases, such as measles, polio and meningitis, for example,” says Aline Piedade.

“This significantly reduces the risk of contracting these diseases and suffering complications associated with them. In addition, vaccines help strengthen children’s immune systems, preparing them to fight future infections. By introducing a weakened or inactive form of the pathogen, the body learns to recognize and respond quickly to real infections, creating a more efficient defense,” he adds.

Vaccines included in the national immunization calendar are offered free of charge at health centers.

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