Infant care is provided primarily by the child’s parents or other caregiver. A physician can greatly impact the quality Quality Activities and programs intended to assure or improve the quality of care in either a defined medical setting or a program. The concept includes the assessment or evaluation of the quality of care; identification of problems or shortcomings in the delivery of care; designing activities to overcome these deficiencies; and follow-up monitoring to ensure effectiveness of corrective steps. Quality Measurement and Improvement of this care during the regularly scheduled outpatient visits, also known as well-child visits. During these visits, the physician has an opportunity to perform a comprehensive assessment of the child’s health, gauge caregivers’ apprehension about their role, and evaluate the overall growth environment of the child. Routine visits should be scheduled at regular Regular Insulin intervals, with additional visits for acute concerns. The physician should conduct a history and physical examination; assess growth, development, and nutritional status; encourage administration of vaccinations; and provide anticipatory guidance and counseling to parents or caregivers, making sure to address any questions and concerns and to foster optimal development and support.
Last updated: Feb 16, 2023
Well-child checks are visits scheduled at crucial ages in a child’s development. These checks are necessary to assess overall health, to provide preventive services, for early detection of disease and abnormalities, and for prompt management of health concerns.
Schedule for a baby born on January 1
B: birth
E: exam
Growth charts:
Height and weight should be recorded at every well-child visit (head circumference until 3 years old). The results are plotted on standardized growth charts to monitor growth progression along percentile lines.
Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is often the primary source of nutrition for the newborn. During pregnancy, hormonal stimulation causes the number and size of mammary glands in the breast to significantly increase. After delivery, prolactin stimulates milk production, while oxytocin stimulates milk expulsion through the lactiferous ducts, where it is sucked out through the nipple by the infant. Breastfeeding is the primary source of nutrition for infants and is recommended as the exclusive means of feeding for the 1st 6 months of life, with continuation up to 2 years of age.
Mature human milk contains necessary nutrients for infant and provides antibodies Antibodies Immunoglobulins (Igs), also known as antibodies, are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells that act in immune responses by recognizing and binding particular antigens. The various Ig classes are IgG (the most abundant), IgM, IgE, IgD, and IgA, which differ in their biologic features, structure, target specificity, and distribution. Immunoglobulins: Types and Functions formed by the mother, protecting the baby against infections Infections Invasion of the host organism by microorganisms or their toxins or by parasites that can cause pathological conditions or diseases. Chronic Granulomatous Disease as the immune system Immune system The body’s defense mechanism against foreign organisms or substances and deviant native cells. It includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response and consists of a complex of interrelated cellular, molecular, and genetic components. Primary Lymphatic Organs develops.
Benefits to infant:
Benefits to mother:
Breast milk storage:
If there are challenges with breastfeeding Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is often the primary source of nutrition for the newborn. During pregnancy, hormonal stimulation causes the number and size of mammary glands in the breast to significantly increase. After delivery, prolactin stimulates milk production, while oxytocin stimulates milk expulsion through the lactiferous ducts, where it is sucked out through the nipple by the infant. Breastfeeding, expressed breast milk should be given to infant.
Breastfed infants should not be encouraged to drink formula except in the following situations:
Breastfeeding an infant
Image: “Breastfeeding infant” by Ken Hammond. License: Public DomainIf an infant is formula-fed, it is important to discuss the type of formula used:
Appropriate mixing and ratio of powdered formula to water should be reviewed.
Age | Gross motor Gross Motor Developmental Milestones and Normal Growth | Fine motor Fine Motor Developmental Milestones and Normal Growth | Language | Social/cognitive |
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1 month |
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Hands clenched in fists brought near face most of the time | Makes sounds |
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2 months |
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4 months |
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5 months |
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6 months | Sits for brief moment propped on hands |
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Stranger anxiety Anxiety Feelings or emotions of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster but not disabling as with anxiety disorders. Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
7 months | Sits steadily without support | Grasps using side of hand Hand The hand constitutes the distal part of the upper limb and provides the fine, precise movements needed in activities of daily living. It consists of 5 metacarpal bones and 14 phalanges, as well as numerous muscles innervated by the median and ulnar nerves. Hand: Anatomy (radial– palmar grasp Palmar Grasp Primitive Reflexes) |
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9 months |
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Grasps with 2 fingers and thumb below (radial–digital or 3-finger grasp) |
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10 months |
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Grasps pellet with side of index finger and thumb (inferior pincer grasp) | Says “dada” (specific) |
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12 months | Takes 1st independent steps (walk might be delayed up to 18 months) |
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Says at least 1 word other than “dada” or “mama” |
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Gross motor development of the baby during the 1st year of life
Image by Lecturio.Birth | 1 month | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 9 months | 12 months | |
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Hepatitis B Hepatitis B Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a partially double-stranded DNA virus, which belongs to the Orthohepadnavirus genus and the Hepadnaviridae family. Most individuals with acute HBV infection are asymptomatic or have mild, self-limiting symptoms. Chronic infection can be asymptomatic or create hepatic inflammation, leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B Virus | 1st dose | 2nd dose | ← 3rd dose → | ||||
Rotavirus
Rotavirus
A genus of Reoviridae, causing acute gastroenteritis in birds and mammals, including humans. Transmission is horizontal and by environmental contamination. Seven species (rotaviruses A through G) are recognized.
Rotavirus Rotarix RV1 (2-dose series); RotaTeq RV5 (3-dose series) |
1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose (RV5) | ||||
Diphtheria Diphtheria Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that most often results in respiratory disease with membranous inflammation of the pharynx, sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and weakness. The hallmark sign is a sheet of thick, gray material covering the back of the throat. Diphtheria, tetanus Tetanus Tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani, a gram-positive obligate anaerobic bacterium commonly found in soil that enters the body through a contaminated wound. C. tetani produces a neurotoxin that blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters and causes prolonged tonic muscle contractions. Tetanus, & acellular pertussis Pertussis Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a potentially life-threatening highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract caused by Bordetella pertussis. The disease has 3 clinical stages, the second and third of which are characterized by an intense paroxysmal cough, an inspiratory whoop, and post-tussive vomiting. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) ( DTaP DTaP Combined vaccines consisting of diphtheria toxoid; tetanus toxoid; and an acellular form of pertussis vaccine. At least five different purified antigens of b. Pertussis have been used in various combinations in these vaccines. Bordetella) | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose | ||||
Haemophilus Haemophilus Haemophilus is a genus of Gram-negative coccobacilli, all of whose strains require at least 1 of 2 factors for growth (factor V [NAD] and factor X [heme]); therefore, it is most often isolated on chocolate agar, which can supply both factors. The pathogenic species are H. influenzae and H. ducreyi. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose | Booster → | |||
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) | 1st dose | 2nd dose | 3rd dose | ← 4th dose → | |||
Inactivated poliovirus Poliovirus Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. This virus is a member of the Picornaviridae family. It is a small, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus without a lipid envelope. Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route and, occasionally, through respiratory aerosols. Poliovirus/Poliomyelitis (IPV) | 1st dose | 2nd dose | ← 3rd dose → | ||||
Influenza Influenza Influenza viruses are members of the Orthomyxoviridae family and the causative organisms of influenza, a highly contagious febrile respiratory disease. There are 3 primary influenza viruses (A, B, and C) and various subtypes, which are classified based on their virulent surface antigens, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Influenza typically presents with a fever, myalgia, headache, and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Influenza Viruses/Influenza (IIV) | Annual vaccination Vaccination Vaccination is the administration of a substance to induce the immune system to develop protection against a disease. Unlike passive immunization, which involves the administration of pre-performed antibodies, active immunization constitutes the administration of a vaccine to stimulate the body to produce its own antibodies. Vaccination → | ||||||
Measles Measles Measles (also known as rubeola) is caused by a single-stranded, linear, negative-sense RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae. It is highly contagious and spreads by respiratory droplets or direct-contact transmission from an infected person. Typically a disease of childhood, measles classically starts with cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, followed by a maculopapular rash. Measles Virus, mumps Mumps Mumps is caused by a single-stranded, linear, negative-sense RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae. Mumps is typically a disease of childhood, which manifests initially with fever, muscle pain, headache, poor appetite, and a general feeling of malaise, and is classically followed by parotitis. Mumps Virus/Mumps, rubella Rubella An acute infectious disease caused by the rubella virus. The virus enters the respiratory tract via airborne droplet and spreads to the lymphatic system. Rubella Virus ( MMR MMR A DNA repair pathway involved in correction of errors introduced during DNA replication when an incorrect base, which cannot form hydrogen bonds with the corresponding base in the parent strand, is incorporated into the daughter strand. Excinucleases recognize the base pair mismatch and cause a segment of polynucleotide chain to be excised from the daughter strand, thereby removing the mismatched base. Lynch syndrome) | 1st dose → | ||||||
Varicella (VAR) | 1st dose → | ||||||
Hepatitis A Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), a nonenveloped virus of the Picornaviridae family with single-stranded RNA. HAV causes an acute, highly contagious hepatitis with unspecific prodromal symptoms such as fever and malaise followed by jaundice and elevated liver transaminases. Hepatitis A Virus | 1st dose → |
Caregivers should be counseled to seek further evaluation immediately if any of the following signs or symptoms occur.
Peripheral cyanosis over a palm
Image: “Showing peripheral cyanosis over a palm” by Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211002, India. License: CC BY 2.0Typical dark green vomit often referred to as bilious vomiting
Image: “Typical dark green vomit” by Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, United Kingdom LS1 3EX. License: CC BY 3.0A day-old baby with its cord stump still attached
Image: “A day-old baby with its cord stump still attached” by Evan-Amos. License: Public DomainMild benign diaper rash in breastfed, cloth-diapered male infant 3 weeks of age
Image: “Irritant diaper dermatitis” by Dailyboth. License: CC0 1.0The following conditions are relevant to those seen in the course of providing infant care.
Neonatal jaundice in a newborn undergoing phototherapy
Image: “Jaundice phototherapy” by Martin Pot. License: CC BY 3.0