| Health care services |
When |
Description |
| Physical exam |
Birth to 12 months: Six visits
1 year to 2 years: Two visits |
A baby needs a healthy start in life. A checkup every two months lets you and your doctor know if your baby is growing properly. |
| Health guidance |
One visit every six months |
|
CLINICAL SCREENINGS
|
When |
Description |
Physical assessment with height and weight
|
During physical exam |
Height and weight checks are important to see if your baby is growing properly. |
| Hemoglobin and hematocrit |
Once during infancy |
This is a blood test to check red blood cells and iron. Your baby will be gently pricked for a drop of blood. Iron helps keep your baby strong. |
| Lead screening |
Risk assessment for lead exposure between ages 6 and 12 months and again at age 24 months
Blood test for those identified as high risk |
Lead can be found in the paint of homes built before 1978, lead pipes and recycling factories. |
| Newborn hearing screening |
Once at birth |
|
| Tuberculin (TB) skin test |
Recommended for children identified as high risk |
TB affects the lungs. It is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or saliva. TB may lead to pneumonia or other breathing problems. |
| Prevention of dental cavities |
Oral fluoride supplementation may be prescribed to children older than 6 months if primary water source is deficient |
|
IMMUNIZATIONS
|
When |
Description |
DTaP
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and accellular pertussis vaccine
(DTaP is the preferred vaccine for all doses in the series)
|
At 2, 4, 6, and 18 months
The fourth dose may be given as early as 12 months, if six months have elapsed since the third dose |
Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It blocks breathing.
Tetanus (lockjaw) makes the body's muscles tighten up and can cause difficulty swallowing.
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes serious coughing spells that can prevent a baby from eating, drinking or breathing.
|
IPV
Polio vaccine |
At ages 2, 4, and 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years |
Polio is a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can cause paralysis. |
MMR
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine |
Two vaccinations, the first at age 12 to 15 months
MMR vaccinations should never be given less than one month apart |
Measles causes a rash, cough, runny nose and fever or pneumonia.
Mumps causes fever, headache and swollen glands. It may lead to deafness or sterility.
Rubella (or German measles) causes a rash and fever, and may cause arthritis and some birth defects. |
Hib
Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine |
At ages 2, 4 and 6 months and once between ages 12 and 18 months
Combination vaccine products may reduce the number of doses required |
Hib is an infection of the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to deafness or brain damage. |
Hep B
Hepatitis B vaccine |
Three doses in the first 18 months
First dose of Hep B to be administered to all newborns before leaving the hospital
|
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Treatments are available, but there is no cure. |
Var
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine |
One vaccination between 12 and 18 months
Children between ages 19 months and 12 years can get one dose if they have no history of chickenpox |
Chickenpox causes a rash, itching, fever and scarring. It may lead to shingles (a painful rash) years later. |
Flu
Influenza vaccine |
Routine vaccination for healthy children between ages 6 and 23 months
|
Flu causes fever, cough, headache and muscle aches. Children with asthma or HIV may have more severe symptoms. |
Pneumonia
Pneumococcal conjugated vaccine |
For all children ages 23 months and younger, four doses at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months |
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes cough, fever and shortness of breath. |
