Tracking Your Child's Development: Health Risks to Look For

As your child grows and develops, they go through many changes. Certain milestones are used by healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents to track a child’s physical and emotional development, but parents are the first-line defense to monitor their children for health risks. By knowing what to look for, you’ll be prepared to act if you need to.

Here at Nashville Family Medical Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee, our multicultural staff is skilled in helping people from diverse backgrounds with their medical needs. Dr. Said Attoussi and our caring team provide medical care for infants, children, and teens. We offer comprehensive medical exams, well-child visits, sports or school physicals, and immunizations. If you feel something is amiss, don’t hesitate to bring your child in to see us; we’re happy to help.

Child development

As any parent knows, there are many firsts as your child grows: the first time they smile, the first time they crawl or walk, the first time they speak, the first time they can read a full sentence. These are called milestones, and they can be compared among children of the same age to see how your child is developing. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a full list of milestones for everything from moving, walking, talking, thinking, and communicating based on your child’s age, from birth to five years. If you have any questions or concerns, it’s best to speak with your child’s doctor.

Health risks to look for

Even if your child seems to be developing at a normal rate based on the above criteria, there are additional signs you should watch for in regards to their health. When they’re very young, sometimes there’s something wrong, or they don’t feel well, but they can’t yet articulate it. Or, if they’re old enough to tell you, they may be scared to speak up for some reason or just not feel like talking. It’s up to the parents or caregivers to keep watch for any signs of trouble or ill health.

Some signs to watch for:

• Frequent scratching or trouble swallowing could indicate itchiness or an allergy
• Any regression in speech or physical abilities could signal a brain or nervous system problem
• Mood swings, emotional outbursts, or wanting to be alone all the time could be signs of bullying, anxiety, or depression
• Trouble sleeping may be evidence of the same
• Asthma or shortness of breath
• Being overweight or obese may lead to severe health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer
• Tooth or mouth pain could indicate cavities or more serious oral health issues
• Smoking is a risk factor for many serious medical conditions, including cancer; talk to older kids about the risks of smoking, and keep all children away from second-hand smoke
• Teen pregnancy

Is it time to see a doctor?

If you notice any of those behaviors or medical conditions, it’s time to bring your child to see Dr. Attoussi at the Nashville Family Medical Clinic for a checkup. We can treat them in the office or refer them to a specialist who can help. Also, we recommend trying to talk to your child or teen about how they’re feeling and about what’s going on in their lives on a regular basis. By being proactive, you can help lower their risk of developing serious health problems or help them get treatment as soon as possible should the need arise.

If you’re concerned about your child’s growth and development, or if you think they have a medical condition that needs treatment, contact us to make an appointment today. Just use our convenient online booking tool or give us a call at 615-434-6546.