U becomes J - the J1 check-up
This is almost the end of our series on medical check-ups. We are looking at J1, the penultimate examination.
This adolescent check-up should take place between the ages of 12 and 15, we usually do it from 13. This is a very complex screening process. There are two questionnaires beforehand, one filled out by the young people themselves and the other by their parents.
The screening itself then starts with weighing, measuring, hearing test, eye test, blood pressure, a look at the immunisation record, everything as usual. In our practice, we then do one part with the young person alone and one part together with the parent present, if one is present, because sometimes the young people come alone, which is also perfectly fine.
So they are given a thorough physical examination, they are asked if they have any complaints and then, of course, a lot of psychosocial issues are discussed - how things are going at school, and mobile phone/computer/media use is always a big topic nowadays. The topic of sexuality can come up, sometimes it's also a lot about social interaction, depending on how well or less well the children feel they are doing in their class communities or sports communities. We also always offer to take a blood sample and check some basic values, e.g. thyroid, liver values, blood lipids.
So, all in all, it's quite a complex story and one that we highly recommend. So if your children are of an appropriate age, please remember that this is a very good, important preventive measure.
Further interesting tips
Eye screening
Today we are talking about a very important device in our practice: the eye screening device! We use this to check the eyes of small children from ten to twelve months of age. It is a far-sighted examination - because serious visual defects can be recognised and treated in good time.
Undescended testicles
Easter is over, the eggs have hopefully all been found ... and that brings us to the topic of undescended testicles. It doesn't sound very spectacular, but it's an important topic in everyday practice.
Paediatric myths
Have you ever heard these phrases or said them yourself? "The child has such yellow snot, it's probably something bacterial!" "The urine smells so bad, it's probably a urinary tract infection!" "The child is coughing so badly, it must be pneumonia!" You hear all these sentences over and over again and they are all, you guessed it, rubbish.