When Should You See a Pediatrician? Recognize the Signs

By: Dr. dr. Tb Rachmat Sentika, Sp.A., MARS

A child's growth and development is a golden period that significantly determines their future quality of life. During this period, children experience physical growth, develop thinking skills, language skills, emotions, and social skills, which will form the foundation for their future lives.
Each child's growth and development progress is unique, influenced by genetic factors (nature) and environmental factors (nurture). Therefore, regular monitoring of their growth and development is crucial to ensure that children reach developmental milestones appropriate for their age.

This monitoring encompasses various aspects, such as:

• Weight and height
• Head circumference
• Nutritional status and growth index
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Vision and hearing skills
• Speech and language skills
• Social, emotional, and behavioral development

When a child experiences growth delays, developmental disorders, or certain behavioral changes, parents often wonder whether these conditions are normal or require further evaluation. In such situations, consulting a pediatrician and growth and development consultant can be the right step for a comprehensive evaluation.

What is a Pediatrician?

A growth and development specialist is a pediatrician with specialized expertise in monitoring, assessing, and managing children's growth and development.

The evaluations performed include:

• Child physical growth
• Gross and fine motor development
• Speech and language skills
• Social and emotional development
• Child learning and behavior

Growth and development examinations aim to detect disorders as early as possible so that treatment can be carried out more quickly and the results are more optimal.

Signs Your Child Needs to Be Examined by a Developmental Specialist

Here are some signs that need attention from parents:

1. The child experiences speech delays

Every child develops language at a different rate. However, parents should be alert if:

• At age 1, he/she cannot yet say simple words.
• At age 2, he/she cannot yet combine two words into simple sentences.
• Difficulty understanding simple instructions.
• Rarely makes eye contact when spoken to.

Speech delay can be caused by various factors and requires further evaluation to determine the cause.

2. Weight or Height Does Not Match the Growth Curve

Suboptimal physical growth can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, certain diseases, or environmental factors affecting a child's growth and development.
Some conditions to watch out for include:

• No weight gain on two consecutive weigh-ins
• Weight below -3 SD (malnutrition)
• Weight between -2 SD and -3 SD (undernutrition)
• Presence of a chronic illness or medical condition that may affect growth
• Difficulty eating, poor eating habits, or picky eating habits

3. Delayed Motor Development

Motor skills are a child's ability to perform movements, both gross and fine motor skills. Consultation is necessary if:

• Baby is late in rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking
• Child appears too stiff or too weak
• Difficulty holding small objects
• Frequent falls or poor motor coordination

Early detection is very important to help children get appropriate stimulation and therapy.

4. Difficulty Focusing and Too Active

An active child does not necessarily have a disorder. However, further evaluation is necessary if:

• Difficulty sitting still for age-appropriate reasons
• Easily distracted by the environment
• Difficulty following instructions
• This behavior interferes with learning or social interactions

Examination can help determine whether the condition is still within the normal developmental limits or requires special treatment.

5. Experiencing Social Interaction Disorders

The ability to interact with others is an important part of a child's development. Some signs to look for include:

• Doesn't respond when called
• Rarely makes eye contact
• Prefers to play alone
• Difficulty interacting with peers

Early identification allows children to receive appropriate stimulation and therapy according to their needs.

6. Behavioral Changes or Learning Difficulties

Konsultasi juga disarankan apabila anak menunjukkan:

• Difficulty participating in age-appropriate learning activities
• Significant behavioral changes
• Irritability or difficulty controlling emotions
• Difficulty adapting to school or social environments

A thorough evaluation can help identify factors that influence a child's development and determine appropriate treatment steps.

The Importance of Early Detection and Intervention

The sooner a developmental disorder is detected, the greater the child's chance of achieving optimal treatment outcomes.
Early intervention can help:

• Maximizing children's potential and abilities
• Supporting readiness for school
• Improving communication and social interaction skills
• Helping parents better understand their children's needs
• Improving children's long-term quality of life

Therefore, parents do not need to wait until the complaint becomes severe to consult a doctor.

How is a Growth and Development Screening Performed?

In a growth and development examination, the doctor will carry out a comprehensive evaluation which includes:

• Pregnancy and childbirth history
• Child's medical history
• Physical examination
• Growth measurement (weight, height, and head circumference)
• Assessment of motor, language, cognitive, and social skills
• Observation of child behavior

If necessary, the doctor can recommend supporting examinations or further therapy according to the child's condition.

Conclusion

Monitoring growth and development is a crucial part of maintaining a child's health and quality of life. Parents should immediately consult a pediatrician and growth and development consultant if they notice any speech delays, motor skills problems, difficulty focusing, impaired social interaction, or other developmental issues in their child.
With early detection and treatment, children have a greater opportunity to grow and develop optimally according to their full potential.

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