Well-child visits revisited.
Pediatrics did not emerge as a specialty distinct from other medical disciplines until early in the 20th century. The main causes of death and disease in infancy and childhood during the 18th and 19th centuries--infectious and nutritional diseases--were conquered before midcentury, and primary care pediatric practice was quickly immersed in child health supervision activities. Thereafter, pediatricians spent the majority of their office-based practice time conducting well-child visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics now wishes to increase the number of well-child visits during infancy, childhood, and adolescence by 50%--from 14 to 21 visits. This posture, plus that of recommending ongoing comprehensive and continuing care by a pediatrician for every child, may not be in the best interests of children's health.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000266:history / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States