Detecting/ Preventing Early Childhood Diseases
I have had the opportunity to talk to some of the people who I mentor with, and thanks to their help, I have been able answer a lot of the questions associated with this project. Thank you.
1) What do you think parents and their healthcare providers can do to detect childhood diseases in time?
A. Parents should keep up with well check-ups. They are important because each well check-up ensures a child is developing normally physically, emotionally, and socially. There are questionnaires at each check-up that helps check for some of these.
2) What would you say are the most common childhood diseases?
A. Childhood obesity is a big one. It is definitely on the rise. Anemia. Diabetes, mainly due to the obesity. ADHD. And in recent years Autism along with Leukemia.
3) What do you think are the most dangerous childhood diseases?
A. Obesity is the most dangerous because from there you can have other health risk factors that can develop from it. Diabetes, anemia, and health problems are serious health problems that can result from obesity in later years.
Research and Findings- Interviews
4) Do you feel insurance could prevent some testing because of expense or coverage?
A. Not so much in the pediatric department. CAT scans, PET scans, MRI's, and other tests are usually processed because the doctor needs it for a diagnosis and they need it. Only limit would be referrals to specialists; there are some insurances that will only specific doctors and locations.
5) What are some important test done at well check-ups?
A. Urine to check for dehydration, diabetes, urinary track infections, etc. CBC or complete blood count (which also checks the hemoglobin) to make sure they don't have blood cancer or anemia.
We also record height and weight to make sure they are not growing abnormally and too fast. If they are, parents are informed of ways to change diet and exercise of the child. Weight control tips are given.
6) What do you feel is the most important thing a parent can do in the treatment of childhood diseases?
A. Keeping all recheck appointments and referral appointments are so important! We can only do so much and if parents don't keep up with these, the success of the treatment will be effected. Parents should also keep track of all medicines, tests done and doctor visits along with along with names. With all of theses, the communication will be increased thus improving the quality of the treatment.
7) What is the importance of a check-up and the details behind some of them?
A. Each check-up checks for development: physically, emotionally, and socially. At two week check-ups, we make sure a baby is feeding and growing. From the two week check-ups to when a baby is thirty months old, we measure the circumference of the head to make sure the head isn't growing abnormally which could indicate fluid in the head. From a child is six months and at yearly check-ups, we check their hemoglobin to make sure they don't have anemia. At all check-ups, we also always record weight and height. In addition to all of this, we like to go over preventatives. Fire safety, electrical safety, choking hazards, etc.
Fire Safety- Preventatives
Special thanks to:
Mrs. Sheila Evans, Assistant Team Leader in Administraion
Ms. Patrice Harrison, MA
Ms. Jessica Wynn, LPN
Mrs. Ana Negrete, Clinical Interpreter
I couldn't have done it without all your help!