This contact is usually carried out when the infant is aged between 6 and 8 weeks. Some GPs like to combine this visit with the mother’s post natal check and choose to do it at 6 weeks, others prefer to combine this with the first immunisation and send for the child at 8 weeks.

Standard

This contact should be completed by the time the infant is aged 8 weeks.

Components of this Contact

A full physical examination of the infant is carried out.

The weight is recorded and plotted on the centile charts in the personal child health record.

This contact provides an important opportunity to discuss topics of health promotion. Such topics include the advantages of breast feeding; completion of the course of oral vitamin K; action to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome; recognising and managing depression; handling babies, including the risks of shaking babies; weaning and diet; faltering growth and obesity; the importance of immunisations; reducing injury and accidents; avoiding sunburn; reducing smoking; promoting good mental health and reducing the prevalence of behaviour problems.

Outcome Data Reported in the Parent Held Child Health Record

  1. Eyes – The red reflex is examined with an ophthalmoscope to search for the presence of cataracts.
  2. Palate – this includes looking inside the mouth and palpation.
  3. Hearts – Auscultation of the heart, palpation of the femoral pulses and the presence of abnormal physical signs are examined to exclude the presence of congenital heart disease.
  4. Hips – The hips are examined by the Barlow-Ortolani manoeuvre and symmetry of leg skin creases is noted, in order to check for the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hips.
  5. Undescended testicles – Boys are examined to make sure that both testicles have descended into the scrotum.

Other concerns to do with feeding or behaviour may well be handled by collaborative working between health visitors and general practitioners.

The outcomes of this examination are recorded in the parent held child health record. A copy of this result is sent to the child health computer for the collation of data across the district.

The local child health computer can be used to ascertain the population coverage of the 6 to 8 week health check and the prevalence of target conditions arising from this check.

Referral pathways for children

NB: JAUNDICE: If a baby is found to be jaundiced, s/he must be referred urgently to the consultant paediatricians. Investigations are necessary to exclude medical causes and the surgical condition of biliary atresia.

Summary

Normally completed by the doctor and the health visitor.

Topics to consider