16 year old Well Child Check
Child development.
Most children at this point have started puberty. If your child hasn’t, you should bring it up at their appointment.
Their decision making is improving, but still have some issues considering the big picture. They can still be impulsive.
Many children at this age have gotten at least their driver’s permit, if not their license. Make sure your child knows your rules and expectations as well as those of your state.
Child growth.
We continue to plot your child’s growth on the growth charts, and watch that they are growing appropriately for them. Many girls at this age have stopped growing, as they do once starting menses. Boys, on the other hand, may still grow a bit more.
General health.
We do a general physical exam, asking questions of your child as we do so. This allows us to see how they’re doing in school, any activities, and what they do after school. Most pediatricians start taking kids aside around this age to ask them more personal questions. This allows the teen a chance to speak privately with their pediatrician, and talk about more embarrassing topics.
Food and nutrition.
We still recommend a varied, balanced diet, with good snacks. Spending time as a family eating dinner whenever possible can help foster closeness and discussion.
Health history.
Let your pediatrician know if you’ve gone to any ED, Urgent care, or specialist. Knowing what other doctors may have done allows us to know your child’s health better and make informed decisions when needed. We often get notes faxed over from these places, but not always.
Family history.
Let us know if there have been any changes in the health of your family members.
Social history.
We’ll ask about any new social situations in the family. We’ll also ask about your child’s progress to getting their driver’s license.
Safety and health issues.
Seatbelts in cars and helmets on bikes are still important safety issues. Now, however, we want to make sure teens are becoming safe drivers as well. Talk to them about drugs and alcohol.
Discuss dating rules and safety with your teen. Even if you don’t want them to date, they will encounter situations where they will be faced with tough choices. Let them know that it’s okay to say no, and that it’s okay to walk away. Similarly, it’s okay for others to tell them no. Talking to them about these things can make them comfortable enough to open up to you and call you when they need help.
Vaccines.
There are two regular vaccines for this age group. The first is one your child would have also gotten at the 11 year well child check, meningitis (A,C,Y,W-135). This is the second and last in that series. The second shot your child will get is the meningitis B. Depending on which brand your child received (they are both effective), they will get a second shot either one month or six months from this first one. With all of these shots done, your child is done with childhood vaccinations. They will still need a seasonal influenza shot, and a tetanus every ten years or so.
Links.
