120. Methods for control and evaluation of child and adolescents’ growth and development – anthropometry and somatoskopiya.

Methods for investigation and assessment of growth and development in children and adolescents

Medical check-up

Child’s development refers to biological and psychological changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence. Prevention of children’s health, physical development, mental health involves taking systematic medical check-up from the physician ( GP) and the dental doctor.This prophylactic activity with social importance is against healthy problem and diseases among the children and adolescents.

The medical examination includes:

1. An anthropometric measurements – height, weight, circumferences of the head, chest, etc.;
2. An assessment of the mental development of the children;
3. A study of the physical skills and capacity;
4. Analyzes of blood and urine;
5. Analyzes for intestinal parasites;
6. Doctor’s examination;
7. Dental examination

Terms of the examinations are based on principle – the younger the child the more often examinations are needed. For example:

• During the first year from the birth of the child, examination is carried out every month and includes: measurement of height, weight, circumference of the head and chest, mental development and medical examination;
• For children aged 1 to 2 years the examination is carried out every three months;
• For children aged 2 to 7 years the examination is carried out every 6 months;
• Medical examination of the children aged 7 to 18 years is carried out once per year. It includes measurement of height, weight, chest’s circumference, blood pressure, physical abilities, vision, and status of the musculoskeletal system, medical and dental examination.

Persons with abnormalities are send to a specialist for clarification of their health status. The results of screening are filled on the document for a medical control. If there is healthy problem, the child must be send to the medical specialist. Evaluation of physical development and physical skills of the children are necessary in order:

1. To obtain data, that is objective criteria for assessing the health status of children.
2. To establish standards for the evaluation according to the age and the gender.
3. To see the effects of physical and mental strain and training, nutrition, modes of work and rest.
4. To investigate the influence of environmental factors on growth and development of the children.
5. The results serve to develop prevention programs to preserve, and strengthen the health of children.

Methods of physical development

I. Investigation of the anthropometric indicators: The aim of the anthropometry is to determine the dimensions of the human body and changes in some functional indicators. The anthropometric indicators are divided into: