Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson: Value of regular baby check-ups

Regular, routine baby and child check-ups are important. New research finds that within certain systems, regular check-ups for babies and toddlers can reduce the risk of them being hospitalized.

Well Child Preventative Care

• 13 visits in first 3 years of life
• After age 3, 1 visit each year
• Vaccinations, prevention, nutrition review, chronic care
• Children under 5 years hospitalized more

Kaiser & Group Health Study

• 2 month olds up to 3.5-year-old toddlers
• More than 10 percent of children had chronic disease
• 4 percent of children were hospitalized under age 3.5
• Children who missed routine visits had 1.5 - 3 times the risk of being hospitalized

What Parents Need To Know

• Routine wellness visits helpful to reduce risks
• Typically paid for with insurance or Medicaid
• Contact Within Reach for information: 1-800-322-2588
• If child has chronic disease, well care is important

Links:

1. Within Reach - Help Finding Health Insurance or A Doctor

2. Easy-to-Read Immunization Schedules

3. VIDEO: Your Baby s First Check-Up

4. Research Study on Well-Child Care & Hospitalization

More about Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson:Facebook | Twitter:@SeattleMamaDoc | Read Her Blog