The same day breast clinic offers a fast diagnosis to women presenting with any breast problem that is causing concern.
A full consultation and examination by a consultant breast surgeon is carried out, and if necessary, a fine needle aspirate, ultrasound or a mammogram is performed by a consultant breast radiologist.
Available to: women who visit their GP with concerns about breast problems can be referred by their GP to the same day breast clinic. Telephone: 020 7616 7654
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This
Child Health Guide
covers an important health topic and this
topic gives an overview of caring your child which may need at each age.
To get the
most from your child's health care:
·
Be an active member of your child's health care team. Ask your
health care provider any questions that you may have.
·
Use the records throughout the Child Health Guide to keep track of
the immunizations (shots), tests, exams, and other types of health care that
your child receives. Use these records to remind you when your child needs to be
seen next.
·
Keep the Child Health Guide and records in a safe place. Check it
often to make sure your child is getting the preventive care that he or she
needs. Keep the Child Health Guide records up-to-date.
·
Bring the Child Health Guide every time your child goes to a
health care provider.
Checkup visits are
important because they allow your health care provider to review your child's
growth and development, perform tests or give shots. To help your provider get a
complete picture of your child's health status, be sure to bring your child's
health record (such as this Child Health Guide), and a list of any medications
your child is taking to each visit.
Checkup visits are a
time for parents to ask questions. Bring a list of concerns you have. For
example, my child is not sleeping through the night yet, I don't think my child
is eating enough, or my child seems uncoordinated and is always walking into
things.
Some authorities
recommend checkup visits at the following ages: 2-4 weeks; 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15
and 18 months; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years.
Some children may need
to be seen more often, others less. Ask your clinician how often your child will
need to be seen.
Your child needs
immunizations. Immunizations (shots) protect your child from many serious
diseases. Below is a list of immunizations and the ages when your child should
receive them. Immunizations should be given at the recommended ages—even if
your child has a cold or illness at the time. Ask your health care provider
about when your child should receive these important shots. Ask also if your
child needs other immunizations.
·
Polio (OPV or IPV): At 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6
years.
·
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, DTP): At 2 months, 4 months, 6
months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years. Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) at 11-16 years.
·
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR): At 12-15 months and either 4-6 years
OR 11-12 years.
·
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): At 2 months, 4 months, 6
months, and 12-15 months; OR 2 months, 4 months and 12-15 months depending on
theaccine
type.
·
Hepatitis B (HBV): At birth-2 months, 1-4 months, and 6-18 months.
·
Chickenpox (VZV): At 1-12 years.
These blood tests should
be done before your baby is 7 days old. They are usually done just before your
baby leaves the hospital. If the blood tests were done earlier than 24 hours
after birth, a repeat test at 1 to 2 weeks of age is recommended. Common newborn
screening tests include those for PKU, thyroid, and sickle cell disease.
Your child should have
blood pressure measurements regularly, starting at around 3 years of age. High
blood pressure in children needs medical attention. It may be a sign of
underlying disease and, if not treated, may lead to serious illness. Check with
your child's health care provider about blood pressure measurements.
Lead can harm your
child, slowing physical and mental growth and damaging many parts of the body.
The most common way children get lead poisoning is by being around old house
paint that is chipping or peeling. Some authorities recommend lead tests at 1
and 2 years of age. Use a check to mark "yes" answers to the questions
below. Any "yes" answers may mean that your child needs lead tests
earlier and more often than other children.
Has
your child:
Lived in
or regularly visited a house built before 1950? (This could include a day care
center, preschool, the home of a babysitter or relative, etc.)
Lived in
or regularly visited a house built before 1978 (the year lead-based paint was
banned for residential use) with recent, ongoing, or planned renovation or
remodeling?
Had a
brother or sister, housemate, or playmate followed or treated for lead
poisoning?
Your child's vision
should be tested before starting school, at about 3 or 4 years of age. Your
child may also need vision tests as he or she grows. Some authorities recommend
hearing testing beginning at 3 to 4 years of age.
If at any age your child
has any of the vision or hearing warning signs listed below, be sure to talk
with your health care provider.
Vision
Warning Signs
Eyes turning inward
(crossing) or outward
Squinting
Headaches
Not doing as well in
school work as before
Blurred or double
vision
Hearing
Warning Signs
Poor response to noise
or voice
Slow language and speech development
Abnormal sounding
speech
Special Warning:
Listening to very loud music, especially with earphones, can permanently damage
your child's hearing.
Your child may need
other tests to prevent health problems. Some common tests are:
Anemia (Blood) Test
—Your child may need to be tested for anemia ("low blood") when he
or she is still a baby (usually around the first birthday). Children may also
need this test as they get older. Some children are more likely to get anemia.
Ask your health care provider about anemia testing.
Cholesterol (Blood) Test
—Children (2 years and older) may need this test especially if they have a
parent with high cholesterol or a parent or grandparent with heart disease
before age 55. If a family history is not available, testing may be needed if
your child is obese or has high blood pressure.
Tuberculosis (TB) Skin
Test —Children may need this test if they have had close contact with a person
who has TB, live in an area where TB is more common than average (such as a
Native American reservation, a homeless shelter or an institution) or have
recently moved from Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean,
or the Pacific Islands.
Children
grow and develop at different rates. Your health care provider will regularly
measure the height and weight of your child.
The
information below shows the ages by which most young children develop certain
abilities. It is normal for a child to do some of these things later than the
ages noted here. If your child fails to do many of these at the ages given, or
you have questions about his or her development, talk with your child's health
care provider.
2 Months
·
Smiles, coos
·
Watches a person, follows with eyes
4 Months
·
Laughs out loud
·
Lifts head and chest when on stomach, grasps objects
6 Months
·
Babbles, turns to sound
·
Rolls over, supports head well when sitting
9 Months
·
Responds to name, plays peek-a-boo
·
Sits alone, crawls, pulls self up to standing
1 Year
·
Waves bye-bye, says mama or dada
·
Walks when holding on, picks up objects with thumb and first
finger
18 Months
·
Says 3 words other than mama or dada, scribbles
·
Walks alone, feeds self using spoon
2 Years
·
Puts 2 words together, refers to self by name
·
Runs well, walks up stairs by self
3 Years
·
Knows age, helps button clothing, washes and dries hands
·
Throws ball overhand, rides tricycle
4 Years
·
Knows first and last name, tells a story, counts four objects
·
Balances on one foot, uses children's scissors
5 Years
·
Names 4 colors, counts 10 objects
·
Hops on 1 foot, dresses self
What your child eats is
very important for his or her health. Follow the nutrition guidelines below.
Guidelines for a Healthy
Diet—0-2 Years Old
·
Breast milk is the best single food for infants from birth to six
months of age. It provides good nutrition and protects against infection. Breast
feeding should be continued for at least the first year, if possible. If breast
feeding is not possible or not desired, iron-enriched formula (not cow's milk)
should be used during the first 12 months of life. Whole cow's milk can be used
to replace formula or breast milk after 12 months of age.
·
Breast-fed babies, particularly if dark-skinned, who do not get
regular exposure to sunlight may need to receive Vitamin D supplements.
·
Begin suitable solid foods at 4-6 months of age. Most experts
recommend iron-enriched infant rice cereal as the first food.
·
Start new foods one at a time to make it easier to identify
problem foods. For example, wait one week before adding each new cereal,
vegetable, or other food.
·
Use iron-rich foods, such as grains, iron-enriched cereals and
other grains and meats.
·
Do not give honey to infants during the first 12 months of life.
·
Do not limit fat during the first 2 years of life.
Guidelines
for a Healthy Diet—2 Years and Older
·
Provide a variety of foods, including plenty of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains.
·
Use salt (sodium) and sugars in moderation.
·
Encourage a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
·
Help your child maintain a healthy weight by providing proper
foods and encouraging regular exercise.
Your child needs regular
dental care starting at an early age. Talk with your dentist to schedule the
first visit. Good oral health requires good daily care. Follow these guidelines.
For
Babies
·
If most of your child's nutrition comes from breast feeding, or if
you live in an area with too little fluoride in the drinking water (less than .3
ppm for children less than 2 years old, less than .7 ppm for children over 2
years old), your child may need fluoride drops or tablets. Ask your health care
provider or local water department about the amount of fluoride in your water
and note it here:_ppm.
·
Don't use a baby bottle as a pacifier or put your child to sleep
with a baby bottle. This can cause tooth decay and ear infections.
·
Keep your infant's teeth and gums clean by wiping with a moist
cloth after feeding.
·
When multiple teeth appear, begin gently brushing your infant's
teeth using a soft toothbrush and a very small (pea-sized) amount of toothpaste
with fluoride.
For
Older Children
·
Talk with your dentist about dental sealants. They can help
prevent cavities in permanent teeth.
·
Use dental floss to help prevent gum disease. Talk with your
dentist about when to start.
·
Do not permit your child to smoke or chew tobacco. Set a good
example: don't use tobacco products yourself.
·
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, rinse it gently and put it
back into the socket or in a glass of cold milk or water. See a dentist
immediately.
Your child needs regular
physical activity through play and sports to stay fit. Good physical activity
habits learned early can help your child become an active and healthy adult.
Adults who are physically active are less likely to be overweight or to have
heart disease, high blood pressure, and other diseases. Adults and children
should try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the
week.
·
Encourage your child to participate in physical activities,
including sports.
·
Encourage involvement in activities that can be enjoyed into
adulthood (walking, running, swimming, basketball, tennis, golf, dancing, and
bicycle riding).
·
Plan physical activities with family or friends; exercise is more
fun with others.
·
Limit the time your child spends watching TV to less than 2 hours
per day. Encourage going out to the playground, park, gym, or swimming pool
instead.
·
Physical activity should be fun. Don't make winning the only goal.
·
Many communities and schools offer exercise or sports
programs—find out what is available for your child.
Using tobacco in any
form is harmful to you and can harm your child's health. Tobacco use—smoking
and/or chewing tobacco—causes cancer, heart disease, and other serious
illnesses. Children exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to get infections
of the ears, sinuses, and lungs. Smoking in the home may also cause lung cancer
in family members who do not smoke.
Discourage your child
from using tobacco (in any form). If you smoke, ask your health care provider
about getting help quitting.
More children die from
injuries than any other cause. The good news is that most injuries can be
prevented by following simple safety guidelines. Talk with your health care
provider about ways to protect your child from injuries. Fill out this safety
checklist.
Read the list below and
check off each guideline that your family already follows. Work on those you
don't.
Safety Guidelines
Checklist—All Ages
_____ Use smoke
detectors in your home. Change the batteries every year and check once a month
to see that they work.
_____ If you have a gun
in your home, make sure that the gun and ammunition are locked up separately and
kept out of children's reach.
_____ Never drive after
drinking alcohol.
_____ Use car safety
belts at all times.
_____ Teach your child
traffic safety. Children under 9 years of age need supervision when crossing
streets.
_____ Learn basic
life-saving skills (CPR).
_____ Keep a bottle of
ipecac at home to treat poisoning. Talk with a doctor or the local Poison
Control Center before using it. Post the number of the Poison Control Center
number near your telephone and write it in the space under Important
Information. Also, be sure to check the expiration date on the bottle of ipecac
to make sure it is still good.
Safety Guidelines
Checklist—Infants and Young Children
_____ Use a car safety
seat at all times until your child weighs at least 40 pounds.
_____ Car seats must be
properly secured in the back seat, preferably in the middle.
_____ Keep medicines,
cleaning solutions and other dangerous substances in childproof containers,
locked up and out of reach of children.
_____ Use safety gates
across stairways (top and bottom) and guards on windows above the first floor.
_____ Keep hot water
heater temperatures below 120 degrees F.
_____ Keep unused
electrical outlets covered with plastic guards.
_____ Provide constant
supervision for babies using a baby walker. Block the access to stairways and to
objects that can fall (such as lamps) or cause burns (such as stoves).
_____ Keep objects and
foods that can cause choking away from your child, such as coins, balloons,
small toy parts, hot dogs (unmashed), peanuts and hard candies.
_____ Use fences that
go all the way around pools and keep gates to pools locked.
Safety
Guidelines Checklist—Older Children
_____ Use car safety
belts at all times.
_____ Until children
are tall enough so that the lap belt stays on their hips and the shoulder belt
crosses their shoulder, they should use a car booster seat.
_____ Make sure your
child wears a helmet while riding on a bicycle or motorcycle.
_____ Make sure your
child uses protective equipment for rollerblading and skateboarding (helmet,
wrist and knee pads).
_____ Warn your child
of the dangers of using alcohol and drugs. Many driving and sports-related
injuries are caused by the use of alcohol and drugs.
Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants. Place sleeping
infants on their backs to decrease the risk of SIDS.
Child abuse is a hidden,
serious problem. It can happen in any family. The scars, both physical and
emotional, can last for a lifetime. Because children can't protect themselves,
we must protect them.
Ways
to Prevent Child Abuse
·
Teach your child not to let anyone touch his or her private parts.
·
Tell your child to say "No" and run away from sexual
touches.
·
Take any reports by your child of physical or sexual abuse
seriously.
·
Report any abuse to your local or State child protection agency.
·
If you feel angry and out of control, leave the room, take a walk,
take deep breaths, or count to 100. Don't drink alcohol or take drugs. These can
make your anger harder to control. If you are afraid you might harm your child,
get help NOW.
Call someone and ask
for help. Talk with a friend or relative, other parents, your clergy, or your
health care provider. Take time for yourself. Share child care between parents,
trade babysitting with friends, or use day care.
As your child grows up,
he or she will face many important health issues not included in the Child
Health Guide. Some examples are:
·
Alcohol
·
Drugs
·
Sexuality
·
AIDS
·
Birth Control
Talk to your health care
provider about these important issues—even while your child is still young
Start early to teach
your child to make responsible choices—irresponsible choices can have a
lifelong effect. Your child needs you. Take the time to "be there" for
your child—listening, advising, and supporting. The rewards will be well worth
the effort.
If you would like more
information about how to help your child stay healthy, talk with your child's
doctor or other health care provider.
You can also get
information from the authorities listed below.
"Put Prevention
Into Practice" is a national initiative of the World Department of Health
and Human Services' Public Health Service in partnership with public and private
health care organizations.
The goal of "Put
Prevention Into Practice" is to preserve the health of all Americans by
improving the preventive care they receive.
You can help put
prevention into practice by working with your health care providers to make sure
that you get all the preventive care you need.
You can also do your
part by following the health advice in this Personal Health Guide. Take charge
of your health and live a longer and healthier life!
