World Health Day: the ways to build it (good) from early childhood

Health is built from birth and even earlier. It is essential not to lose any of the screening provided for each evolutionary stage of the child. The experts of the Italian Pediatric Society explain what they are and the good habits to be adopted as children.

The health of the adult is built since childhood. The good habits acquired in the first years of life, in fact, can contribute to prevent numerous chronic diseases of adulthood. On the occasion of the World Health Day that occurs on April 7thlet’s find out with the experts of the Italian Pediatric Society (SIP) What are the fundamental screening for all ages not to be missed. Starting from birth and even earlier.

Health: it is built from conception

« Investing in prevention since childhood means acting on the causes that over the years lead to the development of the most common adulthood diseases such as obesitydiabetes, tumors and cardiovascular pathologies– he underlines Rino AgostinianiPresident of the SIP -. It is now evident that the healthy behaviors acquired by children are reflected in the entire arch of life, generating benefits for the person and for the community. For this it is essential to act soon, because healthiest children today will be healthier adults tomorrow».

It is good then not to lose any of the screening scheduled for each stage of the child’s life, indeed sending the clock hands even further back, before conception. « When programming a pregnancy it is necessary to start taking folic acidfor 3 months before conception to reduce the neural tube defects – he continues Teresa Mazzonepediatrician of free choice of the ASL Rome 1 and councilor Sip Lazio -. However, a simple care followed by a negligible number of future mothers. Lifestyles must also be changed, saying smoke, alcohol, and keeping body weight under control. Very important check the immune state for rubella, Because in case of negativity and essential to make the vaccine ».

From pregnancy to birth

During pregnancy the future mother will be followed by the gynecologist through all screening. Of course, he will not have to smoke, nor drink alcohol and do not use drugs. At birth, the child is assisted by neonatologists and, when he leaves the hospital, he is taking charge of the pediatrician of free choice. « The first visit is made on the seventh – tenth day of life -explains Mazzone -. It is essential since the child and family is known, The start of breastfeeding is controlled And vitamin D and K are prescribed starting from the fourteenth day. They then take place the ultrasound of the hips, the electrocardiogramand in case of doubt about hearing screening carried out at the birth center, it deepens with specialist exams. It is out of the year Indications on the care and management of the childsuch as hygiene, position in sleep, breastfeeding and the vaccinations argument is intertwined, explaining which ones are indicated and when carrying out the first « .

The first months of life

The study of Pediatrician is a privileged place to intercept emotional, social, psychological discomfort and supervise the child and family proactively. «If yes suspect one Post partum depression mother Or other types of difficulties within the family, the pediatrician, asks to review the short -term newborn – says Mazzone -. In the event that everything proceeds for the best, control visits in the first year are monthly. From the age of age, the child is generally seen every 3-4 months. There are no standards, the pediatrician will evaluate. What is certain is that The first year is the most important. In monthly balance sheets Length, weight, percentiles, cranial circumference and muscle tone are monitored. There are any more risk situations with due attention. If the child presents a breath or arrhythmia, you can request an eco-cardiogram and the cardiological visit».

The stages « filter »

From 18 to 24 months, the pediatrician sends electronically gods Questionnaires to parents to evaluate any signals of the autistic spectrum. «These are simple questions, aimed at understanding, for example, if the child turns when called by name and if he smiles. When the answers are Dubbie, the questionnaire repeats itself after a short time. If the doubt persists, the child is sent to the neuropsychiatrist- explains Mazzone- the pediatrician performs the podoscopy to evaluate if there is a foot dish. If the exam is positive, based on the age of the child, you can wait for any spontaneous resolution within 6 years or send by the specialist for the possible prescription of a footbed. In the third year of life we ​​recommend the first eye examination. In the perspective of Gender pediatrician takes into account the male-female differences for the frequency and the severity of some pathologies. For example, bronchiolitis are more serious in the male, the most frequent idiopathic scoliosis in females. From 11 years onwards the vaccine for the papilloma virus is recommended (HPV), fundamental both in males and females for the prevention of some forms of cancer ».

Correct lifestyles from an early age

A balanced diet is essential for health. That’s why The pediatrician follows with particular attention the child’s food habits, the weight and the body mass index. It is a duty to prevent chronic diseases that overweight can cause. « To reduce cardiovascular risk, blood pressure is also measured. A simple but really important screening, especially in case of familiarity for hypertensionif the child is overweight or particularly sedentary. The measurement of blood pressure can be done at all ages, generally during health budgets. It is then necessary to make correct use of antibioticswhich must be prescribed exclusively by the doctor, if necessary for the child’s pathology. Must be remembered to use solar creams with an adequate filtersince in children melanin is not yet entirely formed and the burns reported in the first years of life considerably increase the risk of melanoma. A common sense rule is to avoid walks in very busy urban areas to avoid exposing the little ones (and adults) to smog. Pediatrician’s task is accompany the child in his growth, guaranteeing an evolutionary trajectory that is the best possible in terms of psychophysical well -being. The conditions for growing a healthy adult », concludes Mazzone.