Doctor visits for a baby’s first year

Many parents are worried about their child’s developments and whether the phases are being passed through properly and within the usual timeframe. During the first few weeks, it is very important to regularly check up on the newborn’s size, weight and body circumference. For exactly this reason, seca offers a wide range of products developed especially for newborns and infants. The mobile electronic scale for infants, seca 336, and the measuring stick, seca 232, offer an optimal combination for taking such measurements.

The head circumference can be precisely and comfortably measured by using the hygienic disposable measuring tapes, seca 211. And with all of the acquired data, the baby’s development status can be accurately determined.

With the measured information and so-called percentile curves, the baby’s growth developments can be documented and compared to average data. For example, it is possible to measure if a child’s body size lies within the 80 percentile, as 80 percent of children at this age are smaller and 20 percent are larger. With these percentile curves, the doctor can also determine how the child’s development is progressing in relation to its personal original percentile – whether it is undergoing an accelerated or delayed development or is within range.

On average, newborns are between 18.9 and 21.3 inch long and weigh between 5.5 lb and 9.3 lb. Within the first six months alone, the baby will grow approximately double in weight and about 15 cm (6 inch) in length. After this first significant change, the first of two large bursts of growth is over. A continuous growth will follow this development, leading to the next large growth spurt in puberty.

The child’s general growth developments have to be monitored carefully. In many countries the U-health check ups for babies have been introduced as an obligatory measure to guarantee close monitoring. Parents have to take their children to the pediatrician to ensure a healthy development and to discover any developmental issues early on. The U-check ups are documented in a booklet and the insurance companies keep the youth welfare services up to date on the child’s visits to the doctor.

The U1 exam is the first in the series and U11 is the last one that should take place between the child’s ninth and tenth birthday. During these standard exams, the child’s size, weight and (up until the baby’s second birthday) also the head circumference are determined and compared to the age-appropriate percentiles.

The first check up happens immediately following birth, concentrating on the newborn’s general state. The data is compared to the so-called Apgar-Score – relative to the child’s appearance, pulse, activity and respiration. The child is checked for its development and the baby’s oxygen supply is measured by using the PH value in the umbilical cord. With this examination, the child’s clinical status can be evaluated quickly and efficiently.

Furthermore, to avoid internal bleeding, a vitamin K prophylaxis is conducted. Here, a small dose of vitamin K is orally administered three times or intramuscularly one time directly into the baby’s veins.

Within the first 72 hours after birth, a blood test determines any metabolic dysfunctions and diseases in the hormonal system. Usually there will also be a test for the child’s hearing functions.

Between the third and tenth day, the second U-check up will take place. The main focus of this exam lies in hereditary illnesses and malformations, as well as possible complications such as newborn jaundice. During the U2, doctors also make sure the first screenings were correctly executed.

The U3, which should take place between the fourth and fifth week, is the first exam where the parents take the baby to an established pediatrician. Here, the child is checked for developmental abnormalities. An ultrasound screening of the baby’s hip determines a deranged or delayed development of the hip joint – a so-called hip dysplasia. The doctor also conducts the baby’s first vaccination counseling.

For determining a newborn’s size and weight in the ambulant sector, the seca 376, suitable for radio transmission, together with the seca 233 have been developed. Thanks to the seca 360° wireless technology, measuring data can be sent directly to a computer or a compatible seca device. This enables an easy transmission with visibly smaller error margins.

If an exam should determine the child’s data to be outside of the age appropriate reference values, for example if the baby should be too small or too light, this is not necessarily related to health issues. Similarly, a large and heavy newborn is not a cause for concern. In either case, it is the development that counts and therefore it is essential to regularly and accurately examine the growth status.

During the U-exams and regular measuring and weighing, discrepancies in growth and development can be quickly distinguished and – if needed – also treated. Precise and reliable measurements are of highest value here. To enable optimal care for newborns and infants, seca offers parents and pediatricians a large palette of scales and measuring systems that cater to a child’s every need. After all, it is especially important to keep in mind how valuable our health is – even from our very first days.

If you are interested in seca’s baby scales and measuring systems, find detailed product information here. 

Picture 1 © “Viacheslav Iakobchuk” / Fotolia.com