For more information about developmental milestones, the University of Michigan has a helpful website at http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/devmile.htm

The American Academy of Pediatrics also has a useful website at: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/stages.cfm

Cholesterol screening is recommended after age two, and no later than age ten for children with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, for children with an unknown family history, as well as for children who are obese, have high blood pressure, or diabetes. Children who have elevated levels of cholesterol should focus on weight reduction, increased physical activity, and nutritional counseling.

The most common side effects from these vaccines are local pain and fever. MMR causes fever in about 5% of children. The fever may be very high and children with a tendency for seizures with high fevers can sometimes get them with a fever after MMR. The fever starts 7-12 days after the vaccine and can last 1-2 days. Sometimes children can also get a rash from MMR.

Severe reactions are rare and most of these are due to allergic reactions. DTaP can rarely cause a nerve problem called brachial neuritis. MMR can rarely cause a problem with low blood counts and a serious brain problem called encephalopathy. These rare reaction occur once in every 2 million vaccinations.

Physicians must give parents vaccine information statements to inform them of the risks of any vaccine. These statements are available at: http://www.immunize.org/vis/). The only babies who should not get one of these vaccines are those who have had a severe reaction or who are allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine. (See vaccine information statement at http://www.immunize.org/vis/).

If a child has never had a flu shot he/she will need two doses (about a month apart) the first year the vaccine is given. After the first year only one dose is needed per year. The major side effects are local pain and fever.

There have been rare severe side effects reported involving the nervous system. The only children who should not get a flu shot are those with a severe allergic reaction to eggs.

Possible side effects are generally mild and include redness, stiffness, and soreness at the injection site; such localized reactions occur in about 20% of children immunized. A small percentage of persons develop a mild rash, usually around the spot where the shot was given.

Physicians must give parents vaccine information statements to inform them of the risks of any vaccine. These statements are available at: http://www.immunize.org/vis/). The only babies who should not get one of these vaccines are those who have had a severe reaction or who are allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine. (See vaccine information statement at http://www.immunize.org/vis/).