Parents are delaying children’s well visits—here’s why that’s risky

Is your child overdue for a check-up with a pediatrician? If so, you’re not alone. Many parents skip or delay routine well visits for their children.

Experts recommend yearly well-child visits from age 3 through age 21. Even if kids aren’t sick or in need of immediate medical attention, missing these important yearly visits isn’t wise. In fact, it may be risky.

Vaccination rates have been falling

Before 1950, thousands of people died each year from highly contagious diseases such as whooping cough, polio, and measles. Over time, these illnesses were nearly eradicated from the United States thanks to widely available vaccines.

In recent years, however, some of these gains have been rolled back. In some cases, it’s due to vaccine hesitancy. In others, it’s because children have missed their routine annual check-ups, where they would normally receive essential scheduled immunizations.

It’s critical to make sure your children are fully vaccinated to protect them and others. The more people who are vaccinated, the lower the odds that a disease will spread. This concept, known as “herd immunity,” can help protect babies too young to be vaccinated and those at high risk due to weakened immune systems.

Vaccines also help contain the spread of the flu each year. With rare exceptions, people aged 6 months and older should receive the seasonal flu vaccine. It can help prevent the illness and reduce its severity for those who do become infected.

“That's particularly important for children, because many who die from the flu every year are children who were not vaccinated,” explains Irene P. Mathieu, M.D. a pediatrician and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Visits help catch early warning signs

Routine well-child visits also provide pediatricians with an opportunity to monitor your child’s growth and development.

“We want to make sure that children are developing cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically the way that we expect them to,” says Dr. Mathieu.

This is especially important for younger children. “If we miss an appointment or two, we can sometimes miss problems that will lead to issues with their social or emotional functioning later in life,” Mathieu explains.

During a typical well-child visit, your pediatrician will perform a physical exam, update your child’s medical history, and address any new health or well-being concerns. They may also screen for vision or hearing problems, or conditions, such as anemia, high blood pressure, and lead toxicity. Older kids may also be evaluated for depression.

“All of these are really important because these are things that can change over time,” Mathieu says. “We need to be checking on these things annually to make sure they aren't developing any diseases that are silent that you wouldn't notice as a parent.”

Check-ups provide a ‘green light’ for sports

Children who hope to play sports either for their school or an outside league usually need clearance from a healthcare provider (HCP) first. During a routine check-up, your child’s pediatrician can often perform a sports physical exam that’s required for participation in a number of sports and other physical activities.

During the standard sports physical, kids are typically screened for heart-related conditions, bone and joint issues, mental health concerns, and other problems that could affect their ability to participate safely.

How to optimize your child’s check-up

If you think your child is due for a check-up, don’t wait to schedule one. “Make an appointment as soon as is convenient for you and your child,” says Mathieu. If possible, try to leave time before and after the appointment, so you don’t feel rushed.

The morning of the visit, you may want to call ahead to double-check what is expected. You might have to bring certain documentation, for example, or you may want to dress your child in a short-sleeve shirt if they’re having shots. Also, prepare a list of questions to ask HCPs about your child’s health. Come prepared to discuss their habits and any concerns you might have, such as issues with sleep, eating, or mental or physical development.

If you have to postpone the appointment, call to let the office know. They can help reschedule you for a later date and time. Don’t cancel or postpone a well-child visit before reaching out to your provider first.

“If you have any questions, concerns, or reservations, it's worth a discussion with your pediatrician before deciding to delay your child's care,” Mathieu says. “You may not know the things that your child is due for, or the things that we screen for—and those could be really lifesaving interventions.”