After starting school, children's health often relies solely on annual school physicals. Although many hospitals offer pediatric health check packages, few parents opt for them. They only seek medical attention when their child shows symptoms. "If my child eats well at home, runs and plays at school, and shows no illness, there's no need for a hospital visit—let alone a checkup,"Liu Yi (pseudonym), a Guangzhou resident, represents a common mindset among parents born in the 1980s and 1990s.
But parent Xie Yun (pseudonym) had her perspective shifted by an unexpected turn of events. Several months ago, a close friend gifted her a family health screening package. After taking her 14- or 15-year-old son for tests including blood and urine analysis, an electrocardiogram, and liver/gallbladder ultrasound, the report revealed a striking finding: "3+ protein in urine," requiring a follow-up with a nephrologist.
The doctor diagnosed early-stage chronic kidney disease, leaving Xie Yun stunned. Her son, who ate well and slept soundly, showed no obvious symptoms at such a young age. "If we hadn't come for this checkup, we would have overlooked his health issues."
According to the "China Children and Adolescents Health Status Social In-depth Survey Report," 84.09% of parents lack awareness of how to monitor their children's physical and mental changes. Among children and adolescents, abnormal growth and development rates range from 48.57% to 63.31%.Dr. Xie Hairui, Associate Chief Physician at the Pediatric Health Care Department of Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, noted that while parental attention to children's growth and development has increased in recent years, significant issues persist: delayed medical visits, insufficient emphasis on regular check-ups, and a relative lack of pediatric health knowledge among parents.
Strengthen awareness of child health care after age 3
Each child exhibits distinct physiological characteristics at different developmental stages, necessitating tailored health care priorities. Regular health checkups are crucial for ensuring children's physical, intellectual, and overall healthy development.
Xie Hairui recommends that families with the means seek comprehensive checkups at specialized pediatric healthcare institutions. Among these, the child growth chart, developmental assessment, and detailed vaccination records are the three most essential tools for understanding a child's growth process and health status.
Taking height and psychological development as two fundamental growth indicators, Xie Hairui emphasized, "Growth charts are the most valuable tool for monitoring and evaluating growth. Regularly tracking a child's growth rate during developmental stages is essential. If delays are detected, early intervention—ensuring proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle—can effectively improve the situation. However, once bone age closes, attempts to increase height become futile."
Meanwhile, children's mental health often receives insufficient attention from parents."Recently, our doctors encountered a child who habitually bit their fingers and would burst into tears upon seeing strangers before they even entered the room. This is a clear sign of social anxiety, yet the child's parents saw no cause for concern. Older children may exhibit symptoms of autism, ADHD, or even depression. Without proper neuropsychological and behavioral development assessments, the consequences could be irreversible."
Many adult-onset diseases originate in childhood.
It is widely recognized that numerous adult-onset diseases trace their roots to childhood. Through scientific health monitoring and management during childhood, early detection and treatment of conditions can ensure children grow up healthy, achieving optimal physical and psychological development while reducing the risk of adult diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
"Pediatric physical examinations differ significantly from adult checkups. They require personalized plans tailored to each child's age and physical condition," Xie Hairui explained.
This difference is first reflected in examination frequency: infants under 6 months require check-ups every 1-2 months; infants aged 6-12 months need them every 2-3 months; children aged 1-3 years should be examined every 3-6 months; children over 3 years should be checked every 6 months to a year; and adolescents (boys over 9 years, girls over 8 years) should have examinations every 6 months.
Second, each age group faces distinct health concerns. Infants and toddlers require monitoring for iron-deficiency anemia, food allergies, otitis media, congenital hip dysplasia, developmental abnormalities, urinary tract infections, and vitamin D-deficient rickets.
During the preschool years, focus shifts to iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition (underweight/obesity), vision abnormalities, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, parasitic infections, developmental behavioral disorders (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and spinal deformities (maintaining proper posture).
During the school-age years, focus on short stature, precocious puberty, iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition (underweight/obesity), vision abnormalities, dental caries, developmental behavioral disorders (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and spinal deformities (maintaining proper posture).
Adolescents should be monitored for psychological and behavioral abnormalities (anxiety, depression, rebelliousness, internet addiction); sexual development and endocrine disorders.
Parents must not overlook these physical examination items.
While pediatric physicals are essential, what specific tests should be conducted? Professor Xie offers the following recommendations.
Infants aged 0 to 6 typically receive comprehensive community health services, including birth defect screening, growth monitoring, feeding and nutrition guidance, psychological/behavioral development assessments, immunization schedules, and common disease prevention. Additional tests are generally unnecessary. Parents with resources may optionally add language/cognitive development assessments and bone mineralization tests.
From age 6 through adolescence, beyond routine measurements like height, weight, vision, facial features, and oral health, parents should monitor for growth delays and infectious diseases.
During adolescence, add assessments of sexual development, psychological and behavioral development, more comprehensive growth evaluations, and screenings for major diseases to the standard checkup.
Dr. Xie Hairei emphasizes that every child is unique with distinct physical conditions. While maintaining regular check-up schedules, seek medical attention immediately upon detecting any abnormalities. Children with specific conditions—such as obesity—should undergo relevant nutritional and metabolic assessments, while those with allergies may benefit from additional immune function testing.