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Pediatric Health Maintenance 6 Months quick look
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This chart rates treatment options according to general effectiveness, ease of use,
side effects and safety.
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Check coordination and muscle strength, and language/social development
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Not available
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Check that baby can roll both ways, sit with support, transfer toys from hand to hand, babble, and interact socially.
Tell Me More...
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Full physical exam
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Physician compares height to a growth chart to see if growth is normal.
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Full physical exam
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Blood test (called blood counts) for infants at risk for anemia
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Excellent
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Infants who were premature or who are on a low-iron formula are at higher risk of anemia. Breast fed infants are also at risk, as mother's milk is low in iron. Iron supplements in the diet can avoid as well as treat this problem.
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Blood test (called blood counts) for infants at risk for anemia
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Other screening tests
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Not available
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There are not any particular lab or other screening tests that are recommended at this interval other than the routine physical exam.
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Other screening tests
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DTaP (diptheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine), IPV (Inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine), HIB (Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine), PCV (pneumoccocal vaccine), HBV (Hepatitis B vaccine), RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine)
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Excellent
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The third injections of these vaccinations are given at 6 months: diptheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine; polio vaccine; H. influenza vaccine; pneumococcal vaccine; hepatitis B vaccine; rotavirus vaccine. The most common side effects from these vaccines are pain around the area of injection and fever.
Tell Me More...
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DTaP (diptheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine), IPV (Inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine), HIB (Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine), PCV (pneumoccocal vaccine), HBV (Hepatitis B vaccine), RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine)
Severe reactions due to these immunizations are rare and most of these are due to allergic reactions. DTaP (diptheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine) can rarely cause a nerve problem called brachial neuritis. RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine) is given by mouth. 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/. Experts recommend that all babies receive these vaccines except those who have had a severe reaction to these vaccinations in the past, or who are allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine. (see information in the vaccine information statement at http://www.immunize.org/vis/).
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Influenza Vaccine
(Flu shot)
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Good
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Children over 6 months of age should get the flu shot every year. The best time to get the shot is from October to mid-November.
Tell Me More...
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Influenza Vaccine
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 pain at the injection site and fever. There have been rare severe side effects reported involving the nervous system. Experts recommend flu shots for all children, except for those with a severe allergic reaction to eggs.
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Review nutrition, sleep, health habits. Discuss child-proofing home
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Not available
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Solids should be given 2-3 times per day. Breast fed babies need vitamin D and iron supplements. Infants should sleep through the night. If any teeth have emerged through the gums, parents should clean with a washcloth daily (but not use toothpaste). Steps should be taken towards childproofing the home.
Tell Me More...
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Review nutrition, sleep, health habits. Discuss child-proofing home
Childproofing includes plugging electrical outlets and removing dangling electrical cords. Plastic bags, balloons, medications, and poisonous substances should not be within reach. Stairs should have gates to prevent falls. A good website with excellent childproofing recommendations is: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/12steps/12steps.html
INFORMATION ABOUT ADDING SOLID FOODS
New foods should be introduced one-at-a-time, watching carefully for allergic reactions. Further information on food allergies can be found at the website of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes of Health at:
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/understanding/children.htm
The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition adds the following recommendations: When the time comes to wean your baby to solid foods, the ACAAI recommends that children in atopic families (that is, families with a history of allergies) be weaned slowly. Here are four principles to keep in mind: 1. Recommendations released in January 2008 by the AAP now recommend that solid foods not be introduced before four to six months of age, but that the timing of introducing common allergens (such as dairy, eggs, and nuts) is no longer believed to have an impact on a child's later probability of developing allergic diseases.
2. The ACAAI recommends that even foods with a low likelihood of causing allergies (like simple fruits, vegetables, and less allergenic grains) be introduced one at a time, and not be combined until parents are sure that each individual ingredient is well-tolerated. Parents should note, however, that "stage 2" and "stage 3" commercial baby foods -- even from organic and natural manufacturers -- may include unexpected grains or fillers. Always check ingredient labels.
3. The ACAAI recommends that fruits and vegetables be introduced in their cooked form, as many of them are less allergenic when cooked.
4. Parents concerned about keeping track of which foods their infants can tolerate might consider making a food log during the period in which their child is being introduced to new foods.
Finally, parents should keep in mind that no matter how many precautions they take, there is no proven way to prevent food allergies in any particular child. These steps are simply believed to be good practices for reducing the risk of developing food allergies over large populations of children.
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