Mums & dads, once you become parents, one of the biggest priorities – and sources of concern – is your child’s health, especially when a child who was initially cheerful suddenly complains of feeling unwell. However, many health problems in children can be prevented or treated earlier through early detection by establishing regular health monitoring and recognising early warning signs that should not be ignored.
As part of its support for children’s health, Bethsaida Hospital Serang provides children’s health check-ups and vaccination services that can be tailored to a child’s needs and age. Through consultations with doctors, mums & dads can also receive recommendations on appropriate vaccines and immunisation schedules as part of long-term protection for their child’s health.
This is in line with a statement by Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who emphasised the importance of the First 1,000 Days of Life, a crucial period for establishing a child’s health from before birth through to the age of two.
“Interventions for pregnant women and efforts to fulfil nutritional needs, particularly during the First 1,000 Days of Life, as well as ensuring that babies’ height and weight continue to increase appropriately for their age, are important parts of efforts to prevent stunting,” he said.
A Child’s Growth and Development Is Not Just About Weight
Mums & dads may often feel that their child is doing well as long as their weight and height are appropriate for their age. However, a child’s growth and development are not only about physical development, but also include motor skills, speech and language abilities, social responses, and emotional development. Delays in any of these areas are often considered insignificant. However, the earlier they are detected, the greater the opportunity for the child to receive appropriate support to promote healthy growth and development.
In line with this, dr Muhammad Aidil Ilham, Sp.A, a paediatrician at Bethsaida Hospital Serang, emphasised the importance of regular check-ups to ensure that a child’s condition remains on an appropriate growth and development trajectory, while also preventing health problems from becoming more serious.
He added that although children are naturally susceptible to illness, there are early warning signs that often appear first and should not be ignored, including:
- A high fever lasting more than three days or recurring fever
- A persistent cough or cold lasting more than two weeks
- A significant decrease in appetite, difficulty drinking, or unusual lethargy
- Repeated diarrhoea or vomiting that may lead to dehydration
- Weight that does not increase appropriately for the child’s age or begins to decrease
- The child becoming tired easily and being less active than usual
- Delayed milestones, such as not walking or speaking at the expected age
“If these symptoms persist or recur, take your child to see a doctor promptly so that the cause can be identified sooner and appropriate treatment can be provided,” he explained.
Why Should Children’s Vaccinations Not Be Delayed?
In addition to regular check-ups, another equally important preventive measure is vaccination, which helps build a child’s immune system against diseases such as measles, polio, hepatitis, pneumonia, and influenza, thereby reducing the risk of severe infections and complications.
Nevertheless, vaccinations are still often delayed because parents are concerned that their child may develop a fever or become unsettled. “A mild fever or pain at the injection site after immunisation is normal, as the body is developing antibodies. The important thing is to ensure that vaccines are given according to schedule and that the child is in good condition,” explained dr Aidil.
Ultimately, looking after a child’s health is not only about seeking care when they become ill, but also about taking preventive measures such as regular check-ups to identify potential health risks early and vaccination to protect children against infectious diseases, helping them grow up healthier and more active.