After the birth, a child has child and juvenile health care appointments, since young age till 18 years old (included). There are Youth Service Centres, for ages between 12 and 21 years old.
O Child Health Book is a small book, free charges, given after birth and contains useful information about the health of your son.
The book can be given in the Hospital, Maternity or Health Centre. You should take the Child Health Book of your son, every time you go with him to the Health Centre or the Hospital. Check the development of your son through the book and follow its instructions.
It is an appointment to watch, monitor and promote the child and juvenile health care, since the birth till 18 years old (included). In this appointment clinical exams are made to monitor the growth and development.
Information are provided about nutrition, prevention of infectious diseases, prevention of accident, vaccination, recreational and entertainment activities, practice of sports, experience of sexuality and related with the health promotion and child and juvenile welfare.
The first appointment must happen as early as possible, preferably one week after the Maternity release.
Tracking metabolic diseases – “heel prick test” – must be done between the third and the sixth day of living in the Health Centre, in case it has not been done previously in the Hospital or Maternity. This allows to detect two severe diseases (hypothyroidism e phenylketonuria), that can be treated when early diagnosed.
Youth Service Centre, exist in some Health Centres, give free global health care, in its majority free charge for any young people from 12 to 21 years old, as well as free and confidential support and information about health monitoring and sex and reproductive health. Young people have facilitated access to these centres.
Source: Ministry of Health
