Pediatric Health Promotion Plan

Pediatric Health Promotion Plan

Health promotional plan on pediatrics focuses on various aspects of a child’s well-being. Healthy People 2020 defines early childhood as the age below eight years and emphasizes the significance of this age in defining the child’s growth and development. Several factors influence a child’s growth and development at this age. Such influences include the social determinants of health, community dynamics, and individual family characteristics. Healthy People 2020 also recommends that all children are up to date with their immunizations. The CDC outlines all childhood vaccinations and their significance on health. This paper outlines a health promotion plan for a family that has just migrated into the country and is presenting to the clinic for the first time. The family has not had clinical visitations for the past two years.

The presenting family is not proficient in English speaking. The two children in the family are six years and two years six months. The CDC proposes several programs necessary for promoting the health and well-being of children. Such programs include but are not limited to immunizations, healthy food options and nutrition, physical activity, oral health, healthy sleep habits, and prevention of childhood trauma or abuse (Pereira et al., 2021). A pediatric health promotion plan for this family will focus on programs such as immunizations, childhood obesity prevention, prevention of childhood trauma and abuse, healthy food options and nutrition, and age-appropriate screening for visual, auditory, and overall development that may considerably benefit the children.

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Immunization

Childhood immunization remains a basic yet fundamental component of children’s health. It is necessary to establish the vaccination status of the children as an initial step in designing a health promotional program for them. As per the CDC immunization schedule, children aged two and a half years and above are expected to have received most childhood vaccines, with the exception of continuation vaccines administered after the toddling age, which include: The fourth dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) administered between the ages of four and six; the fifth dose of Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP) administered between years four and six and the second doses of measles, mumps, rubella vaccines (MMR), and Varicella vaccine (VAR) administered between year four and year six. The younger child is expected to receive all the vaccinations scheduled after the toddling age of three listed above. Other vaccines that will apply to all these children are the Tdap vaccine administered between 7 and 10 years, given as a single dose, and the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) administered between 11 and 12 years old if their gender is female. The HPV vaccine has a minimum age cap of administration at nine years. They may also benefit from the meningococcal vaccines administered in two doses at 7-10 and 13-15 years, respectively. Annual single-dose influenza vaccine may also offer them protection against influenza infections (“Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Parent-Friendly Version”, 2022). All these vaccines are listed in the childhood immunization schedule developed by the CDC.

Vaccinations

Catch-up vaccinations are recommended for all children and adults who fall behind in their vaccinations. If, at the first clinical assessment, it is established that neither of the children has been immunized as per the CDC guidelines, then they will be legible for catch-up vaccinations. In this regard, they will receive the Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), DTaP vaccine, Hemophilus influenza type a vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate, IPV, MMR, varicella, and meningococcal vaccines. HBV may be administered to the children immediately in three doses. The first and the second doses should be separated by four weeks, while the third dose should be at least 16 weeks after the first dose. DTaP vaccines can also be initiated, and five doses can be administered, with the first three doses separated within a minimum of four weeks. The third dose should be separated from the fourth dose by six months, while the fifth should be separated from the fourth dose by six months. The fifth dose is not applicable when the fourth dose is administered after the child’s fourth birthday.

Only one dose of Hemophilus influenza type A vaccine is necessary if the child has never received this vaccine by their fourth birthday. The minimal dose for MMR vaccines is 12 months after birth. All the children are, therefore, eligible to get their vaccines immediately. MMR vaccines are administered in two doses with a four-week interval between the doses. They are also eligible to receive poliovirus vaccines in four doses. For the younger child, the dosing interval will be four weeks, while for the older child, the dosing interval will be six months. The minimum age for the varicella vaccine is 12 months. Two doses of the varicella vaccine will be administered to both children, with a three-month interval between the doses. In addition, the Hepatitis A vaccine (HAV) is also applicable to the two children. This vaccine is administered in two doses, with the doses separated by a minimum of six months intervals.

Rotavirus vaccine is another important vaccine in children. It is administered in three doses, with the third dose being administered at six months. The children’s age exempts them from this vaccine. Special considerations are made as per the CDC guidelines on the utility of each vaccine in the presence of any apparent health anomalies (“Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger”, 2022). Considerations are made when assessing the children to ascertain whether they are immunocompromised, infected with HIV, or have any underlying childhood chronicity.

Assessment Of The Growth And Developmental Status

Also fundamental during the initial clinical assessment of the children is their growth and developmental status. Emphasis is on whether or not they have attained specific growth and development milestones applicable to their age. The CDC and Healthy People 2020 outline developmental milestones that define good health. At two years, a child is expected to be able to walk down steps using rails, throw a ball overhead, kick a ball, jump, walk on toes, and alternate feet while walking up the stairs. A child should also be able to turn pages in a book, turn a door knob, and even open a door. They should also be able to take off their clothes, recite a section of a familiar book, imitate adult activities, and wash and dry their hands. Assessments on the younger child should be targeted at ascertaining her growth and developmental status. If unable to execute most of the functionalities above, he/she will be registered as underdeveloped, and strategies should be put in place to establish causal factors to their underdevelopment and how to address it.

A six-year-old and above is expected to go to school. Emphasis should be made on the school grade they are in and their ability to lace shoes and sketch a six-part man or draw an intersecting line. Schooling reports can also give information on the development milestones of the child and are likely to indicate the presence of any growth/development abnormality. Assessment of the six-year-old child will be satisfactory if they attain the developmental milestone outlined. If found to be lagging in schooling or any functionality of her age, the likely causal factor should be probed and, if identified, addressed.

Physical Growth Assessment

Physical growth is also an important assessment tool that may be suggestive of physiologic and psychologic well-being. In assessing the physical aspects of the children, keen considerations are made on their length for weight, weight for length, head circumference for age, and weight for age. As the child grows, physical changes that become apparent include weight gain, increase in head circumference, ability to control bowel and urinary movements, and slowed heart and respiratory rates. Children above six are expected to weigh more than three pounds, have a height of between, and have a more erect posture. They are also expected to have started developing permanent teeth. During the initial assessment of the children, these aspects should be reviewed to ascertain their physical growth status. The medical history of the children may give indications of any underlying chronicity or pathology that may be implicated in any anomaly that may be apparent and established from the physical examination of these children.

Ensuring Safety

Based on the findings from the physical examination of the children, strategies that ensure the safety of the patients can be defined. For instance, toddler should be taught the right way to handle kitchen tools and appliances to prevent them from acquiring burn and cut injuries. They should also be taught bicycle safety and traffic safety rules as they are likely to have adventures riding bicycles. In case they adventure into swimming, they should be supervised closely to prevent them from drowning. The six-year-old child is likely to be adventurous in activities such as skateboarding. In this regard, they should be advised to wear protective gear such as helmets and knee and elbow pads while skateboarding or skating. They should also be taught how to handle more complex kitchen appliances and other household electronics that have the propensity to cause harm when handled inappropriately (“Promoting Health for Children and Adolescents”, 2022). As the children grow, they may also be taught basic first aid practices that may help them in case of injuries.

Health Promotion and Wellness Preservation For The Children

As a strategy to reduce childhood obesity in the U.S., the CDC recommends childhood exercise and proper nutrition. Physical inactivity and overconsumption of highly refined carbohydrates are the leading causes of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has seen an exponential trend recently and has been implicated in the increasing incidence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among adolescents and younger adults (Caprio et al., 2020). Parents are encouraged to encourage their children to indulge in outdoor activities while reducing hours spent in indoor activities like playing computer games. They are also encouraged to feed their children highly nutritious meals abundant in fiber while minimizing highly refined carbohydrates. Diet and exercise can adequately reduce the risk of obesity and overweight.

Prevention of childhood trauma and abuse is another strategy for promoting the health of children and preserving their wellness. Childhood trauma and abuse have been implicated in several mental health illnesses that are apparent in adulthood, such as depressive disorders (Devi et al., 2019). Childhood trauma and abuse can be in the form of exposure to violence, rape, child abuse, bullying, and neglect. To ensure their current and future wellness, parents should protect their children from childhood psychological trauma by being present in their children’s lives, caring for their children, showing them love, and offering support. These measures can adequately prevent childhood trauma and, consequently, mental health illnesses apparent later in life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a pediatric health promotion plan offers a framework for assuring the health of children by reducing their risks of adverse health effects in later life. Programs such as immunizations are particularly important in preserving the health of individuals and communities. Parents play a significant role in this regard. They ensure the health of their children by enrolling them in these programs.

References

Caprio, S., Santoro, N., & Weiss, R. (2020). Childhood obesity and the associated rise in cardiometabolic complications. Nature Metabolism, 2(3), 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-020-0183-z

Devi, F., Shahwan, S., Teh, W., Sambasivam, R., Zhang, Y., & Lau, Y. et al. (2019). The prevalence of childhood trauma in psychiatric outpatients. Annals Of General Psychiatry, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-019-0239-1

Pereira, M., Padez, C., & Nogueira, H. (2021). Municipal health promotion programs: is childhood obesity a concern at a local level in Portugal? Health Promotion International, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab044

Promoting Health for Children and Adolescents. CDC.gov. (2022). Retrieved 1 August 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/children-health.htm.

Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger. CDC.gov. (2022). Retrieved 1 August 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html.

Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Parent-Friendly Version. CDC.gov. (2022). Retrieved 1 August 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child-easyread-compliant.html.a:link {text-decoration: none;}a:visited {text-decoration: none;
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A family just migrated from another country to your area, and you are seeing them in the clinic for the first time. They do not speak English well.

Pediatric Health Promotion Plan

There are two children, ages 2 years 6 months and 6 years. When taking the children’s history, you become aware they have not seen a provider in two years. Utilizing the Health Promotion Guide available in the course and the CDC vaccination schedule, develop a treatment plan to include vaccinations, safety, health promotion, and wellness preservation for these children. Provide a rationale for recommendations from sources such as the CDC.