Well-child visit
Formal Definition
A scheduled preventive health care visit for children at standardized ages to monitor growth and development, administer age-appropriate vaccinations, perform developmental screening, provide anticipatory guidance, and identify medical concerns early; recommended at birth, 3-5 days, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30 months, and annually from age 3 onward per AAP Bright Futures guidelines.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Well visit" or "well-child check" or "checkup" — the routine pediatric preventive care appointment distinct from sick visits; the backbone of preventive pediatrics.
Example
""4-month well-child visit: weight 6.5kg (50th percentile), length 63cm (50th percentile), head circumference 41cm (50th percentile). Developmental: social smile, follows objects, holds head steady at 90 degrees — all on track. Vaccinations due: DTaP, Hib, PCV13, IPV, rotavirus. Anticipatory guidance: tummy time, safe sleep (back only, firm surface, no co-sleeping).""
Clinical Context
AAP Bright Futures: the evidence-based framework for pediatric preventive care in the US. Developmental screening tools: M-CHAT (autism screening at 18-24 months), ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire), PEDS (Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status). Developmental milestones: gross motor, fine motor, language, social-emotional — flagging delays triggers evaluation and early intervention. Immunization schedule: CDC/AAP/AAFP recommended; available at cdc.gov/vaccines. BMI: calculated from age 2 onward; plotted on gender-specific growth curves. Social determinants screening: many practices screen for food insecurity, housing instability at well visits using tools like SEEK or WellCare.
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