Screening at Home: How to Monitor Children's Health

If you want to know how to raise a healthy child, one particularly important step involves performing general health screening tests regularly. While you could limit yourself to the tests ordered by the pediatrician, when your child is sick, you could inadvertently be letting some things slip under the radar since many diseases incubate without observable symptoms. Considering the convenience of at-home health screening, made all the more reliable with modern medical technology and smartphones, keeping your child healthy is easier than ever. Read on for an in-depth breakdown of the topic and examples of health screening tests for children.

Why Opt for Health Screening Tests for Kids?

Technological advancements in medicine make our lives easier and better on an everyday basis, even if these improvements are invisible to the naked eye. In fact, the Global Burden of Disease Forecasting group published their 2021 forecast, in which they estimate global life expectancy will increase by almost 5 years by the year 2050.

Among the many marvels of modern preventive medicine are at-home health screening kits. They form an accessible way to quickly obtain a comprehensive overview of the most important health markers, including kidney health, blood and urine composition, and others.

But why should you choose to test your child’s health like that? Aren’t the doctor’s visits during sickness enough? The truth is, going to a medical practice when your child falls ill is only what we call reactive medicine, whereas health screening tests for kids are preventive medicine. They can help you obtain general health readings the doctors won’t order unless specific symptoms prompt them to. 

Remember that many diseases and chronic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or thyroid disorders, develop without showing outward symptoms in their early stages. Regular screenings empower you to take your child’s health into your own hands and proactively ensure they grow up strong, nipping any worrisome factors in the bud before they become bigger problems.

Key At-Home Tests to Check Your Child’s Health

Which tests to check your child’s health are worth considering? We’ve compiled a list of the most accessible and sensible ones below:

Urinalysis

A general urine analysis panel can tell you a lot about your child’s health without a doctor’s visit. What exactly can you learn? Take a look at this list:

• Leukocytes & Nitrites: Common markers used to identify urinary tract infections.
• Urobilinogen & Bilirubin: These two chemicals found in the urine indicate proper liver function.
• Protein in urine: Proteinuria (high protein in urine) could signify kidney disease in its early stages.
• Urine pH levels: If your child’s pH falls out of the general range of 6.0 to 7.5, it could point to a number of underlying issues, including kidney disorders.
• Urine specific gravity: Similar to pH, abnormal readings can indicate that kidney function is somehow impaired.

On their own, these factors rarely occur alongside immediately alarming symptoms that would prompt you to schedule a doctor’s appointment. However, given the severity of the conditions they can lead to, at-home urinalysis may serve well as an early warning system.

Blood Glucose

Blood sugar monitoring has become a staple in the medical world due to its accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Performing the test at home is incredibly simple – just prick your child’s finger with the lancet provided in the kit and then use the device to obtain a reading.

Given this ease and low-cost barrier for entry and compounding it with the rising rates of obesity and diabetes in the world, regular glucose monitoring can be a proactive measure to manage and prevent a range of health conditions in your child.

Dental and Vision Checks

Good oral health is crucial to your child’s health, and performing conventional inspections can ensure your child’s teeth and gums stay in good condition. Likewise for vision tests: with the health of apps or implementing various kinds of vision screenings, you can catch potential issues early and support your child’s overall well-being and development.

Raising a Healthy Child – What Not To Do

One potential aspect to remain mindful of is not overestimating your ability. Many of the tests you perform may generate inaccurate results, giving you a false sense of security. Regular doctor’s visits still play an important role in your child’s development.  Overreliance on home health screening tests for kids without professional input could lead you astray, produce improper diagnoses, and create health issues.

Key Takeaways

Smartphones and at-home testing kits can be a great answer to the question of how to raise a healthy child! With advancements in medicine and technology, health screening tests for kids make caring for your child and ensuring optimal development easier than ever. However, it’s crucial to remember that while the convenience offered by these tools is priceless, they can’t replace the insight and knowledge of healthcare professionals.

You may also read: At-Home Genetic Testing: What Can You Learn?

Sources:

GBD 2021 Forecasting Collaborators, Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, The Lancet, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00685-8