Dear Parents,

I developed this guidebook to help you keep a record of your child’s medical file. This can not only protect the privacy of your child but also improve the quality, cost, and efficiency of medical care. Here are some of the advantages of keeping this medical record book.

·         A copy of your child’s medical record will be an instant help if he needs emergency treatment or sees a new doctor.

·         By keeping an updated immunization record, unnecessary tetanus shots at the emergency room for minor cuts can be avoided.

·         You don’t have to write for immunization records at the start of every school year.

·         By answering the “Parent Observation Test” you may be able to tell if your baby has signs of early social and language problems.

·         At a glance, you will know which medications he has received, as well as his reactions to them. YOU WON’T HAVE TO TRUST YOUR MEMORY.

·         You can monitor the number of X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs he received. Your doctor may be more cautious in ordering more tests if many have already been done.

·         If your family moves to another location, you will have your child’s concise medical history at hand. Transferring medical records between doctors’ offices takes weeks.

·         If you want to learn more about your child’s illness, the record can help you prepare the questions to ask your doctor or medical librarian.

·         If your child suffers from an unusual disease that your doctor is having difficulty diagnosing, this type of record keeping could show a pattern to serve as a map for another physician.

·         Recent laboratory tests will not be repeated unnecessarily. 

·         You can keep track of medical and dental expenses for tax purposes.

Since the first printing of this book in 1978, most of my patients’ parents said they wished they had a copy of this book earlier.  I hope that you will find this guidebook useful. Have a regular check up and always call your child’s physician if he or she has any symptoms or problems.

 The following are examples of two Routine Visits, 6 and 9 months old from Baby Medical Journal book.

My Baby’s “6 Months” Doctor’s Visit

The Parent Observation TEST

Circle YES or NO after each question.  If your answers are mostly on the left column, please discuss it with your baby’s doctor.

·         Do I feel well myself?                                   No       Yes

·         My baby does not interact with me with real joy, smiles, and laughter.                                            Yes             No

·         My baby does not coo or babble when playing with me.                                                 Yes             No

·         My baby still has "colic" or is a "cry baby" for no reason.           Yes            No 

·         My baby cannot roll over from one side to the other side.         Yes            No

·         My baby does not support her weight on both legs.            Yes       No

·         My baby has crossed eyes.                               Yes       No

·         My baby had “severe” reactions from the last immunizations.     Yes       No

                              Doctor Leo’s Notes:

ü      Your baby should get the third series of shots:  DTaP, Hib, and Prevnar.

ü      Please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/Parents-Guide/default.htm   and   http://www.aap.org

ü      Your baby should not use a walker.

ü      Start childproofing your house.

ü      Report to your baby’s clinician if there was “severe” reaction from the last immunization.

ü      Start simple Baby Signs like “more,” “thank you,” “please,” “drink,” “all gone,” etc.

ü      When your baby is about twenty-four weeks old, while she's on a sitting position or when she is in a car seat, show a red apple with your right hand at about 12 inches away from her left eye. Say, “Apple, apple, apple” and with your left index finger point to it and say, “Apple.” Repeat this move three times with about a three-second pause between pointing and saying the word “Apple.” Do this four times a day for three days.

On the fourth day, hold an orange with your left hand. Show it to her and say, “Orange, orange, orange.” Point with your right index finger and say, “Orange.” Repeat this pointing and saying the word “orange” four times a day for three days.

  On the seventh day, show both the apple and the orange at about 12 inches from her eyes, with about 10 inches of space between the two. Then say, “Where is the apple?” Observe if she will look at the apple or the orange. It usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks for a baby to recognize or know which the apple is. If you think she got the apple right, then switch the apple to your left hand and the orange to your right. Ask again “Where is the apple?”   [For more advanced lessons, please visit:   brilliantbabyusa.com & brilliantbaby.com.]

Important Physical Examination

      Your baby’s clinician should:

1. Plot baby’s weight, length, and head size in the growth chart.

2. Hips should be normal (abductable).

3. Femoral pulses should be palpable.

4. The eyes should be straight (no lazy eye) and “red reflex” should be present.

5. Head size should be growing normally. Soft spot should still be open.

6. There should be no abdominal masses or enlarged kidney, spleen, or liver.
7.  

Want to receive Free Randomized Controlled Trial reports in Pediatrics and other latest information? I review and scan Medical Journals that the average Pediatrician is not subscribing to. Please fill up the form below and click "Get More Info!"

My Baby’s “One Year Old” Doctor’s Visit

 The Parent Observation TEST

 Circle YES or NO after each question.  If your answers are mostly on the left column, please discuss it with your baby’s doctor.

·         Do I feel well myself?                                         No     Yes

·         My child does not respond to his name being called.                 Yes     No

·         My child avoids looking in the mirror or does not recognize self in the mirror.                                                    Yes     No

·         My child does not look at my eyes when I talk to him.               Yes     No

·         My child does not understand me when I say, “No.”                  Yes     No

·        My child does not enjoy or engage in playing "peek-a-boo" or "patty-cake" games. Yes     No

·         My child does not point at objects with his index fingers.                              Yes             No

·        My child is "obsessed" with one toy or object at the exclusion of others.                      Yes            No

·         My child seems aggravated by certain sounds or music.              Yes     No

·         My child has eating issues due to a sensitive gag reflex.              Yes     No

·         My child frequently bites his hands, arms, or clothing.                Yes     No

·         My child has a temper tantrum at new places like the grocery.         Yes    No        

·         My child flaps his arms while walking or standing.                  Yes     No

If you have some “Yes” answers on the left column, discuss with your baby’s clinician about your concerns regarding motor, developmental delays, or hearing problems. Some of these are early signs of Autism.

Doctor Leo’s Notes:

ü      Check your baby’s immunizations.

ü      Report to you baby’s clinician if there is reaction from the last immunizations.

ü      MMR and Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccines are done at this age.

ü      Please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/Parents-Guide/default.htm   and   http://www.aap.org

ü      Refrain from letting your child watch television. 

ü      Avoid watching VCR, DVD, or computers.

ü      Hemoglobin and Tuberculosis tests are optional.

ü      Lead test is needed if you live in a house with lead paint.

ü      When your baby turns one year old, show her a red apple. Tell her that you will hide it behind the couch. Show that you hide the red apple behind the couch. Then request her to please go get the apple. Show your delight and happiness if she follows your instruction. Then get an apple and an orange. Tell her that you will hide the apple behind the door and the orange under the table. Then request her to go and get first the apple then the orange. Make this activity fun for both of you. The goal is to improve her memory. If she gets the two requests, her memory is great. Then try three objects. Hide them at three different locations in your living room and request her to look for all of the three objects.  [For more advanced lessons, please visit:     brilliantbaby.com

Important Physical Examination

     Your baby’s clinician should:

1. Plot baby’s weight, length, and head size in the growth chart.

2. If your baby is a boy, the testicles should be down in the scrotum. If your baby is a girl, make sure there is a vaginal opening.

3. Femoral pulses should be palpable.

4. The eyes should be straight (no lazy eye) and “red reflex” should be present.

5. There should be no abdominal masses or enlarged kidney, spleen, or liver.

6. Check others parts of the body.

                                                             

                                                                            

                                                                           

Want to receive Free Randomized Controlled Trial reports in Pediatrics and other latest information? I review and scan Medical Journals that the average Pediatrician is not subscribing to. Please fill up the form below and click "Get More Info!"