Baby follow-up: the specialized consultation of the 9th month

After the specialized consultation of the 8th day, this medical examination is essential. It allows for a comprehensive update on the health of your baby, a key stage in its development.

Summary

1.       The course of the specialized consultation of the 9th month

2.       The family environment for your baby exposed

3.       Clinical examination of the 9th month in detail

4.       The controlled psychomotor development

The specialized consultation of the 9th month (CS 9) is part of the examinations, so-called compulsory, and therefore reimbursed 100% by social security. This is the second specialized consultation after your baby's eight days. It also makes it possible to complete the CS 8. The next specialized consultation will take place every 24 months of your child.

The course of the 9th month specialized consultation

As always, the doctor will start with an interview with the parents, before going to the actual clinical exam. The 9th month specialized consultation, also called the 9th month exam, is a preventive examination.

Your baby's home environment exposed

At each meeting with the pediatrician, he makes a point on the social and family situation of your baby. He will note the changes that have occurred in the last month, such as a new guard. The professional will also observe your reactions and the connection you have with your child. This privileged moment of exchange is also an opportunity to discuss the difficulties encountered (sleep, eating, crying ...). Do not hesitate to ask questions if you feel the need.

The 9th month clinical examination in detail

The clinical examination allows you to take stock of the first nine months of your baby's life.

During this specialized consultation, the doctor controls the appearance or the development of possible skin problems (angiomas, eczema).

He then moves on to the ENT sphere, especially the eardrums, looking for signs of mucosal otitis.

Then he examines the dentition. At this stage, the mouth has four median incisors. Four lateral appear between 7 and 11 months.

This is followed by a cardio-respiratory assessment to detect a possible heart murmur, abdominal palpation and control of the external genitalia.

Finally, the pediatrician will check for the absence of hearing and vision problems (strabismus, for example).

He will carry out a complete visual assessment, including, in particular, an external examination of the eye and several exercises soliciting the eyes.

Your baby will be measured (size and circumference of the head), weighed, the BMI will be calculated (P / T²).

All this information will be reported in his health book and written on the curves. The health professional will verify that the latter are regular and without breaks and that the vaccination calendar is up to date.

Controlled psychomotor development

A psychomotor assessment is performed during the 9th month specialized consultation. Indeed, the doctor must control a certain number of points recorded in the health record, by means of different exercises. So, he makes sure that your baby:

Sit without support and stand with support;

Get up alone

Presents a symmetrical motricity of the 4 members;

Moves (ramp, 4-legged walk);

Grasp an object with thumb participation;

Pointed;

Reacts to his name;

Repeat a syllable;

Play "cuckoo, hidden".

At 9 months, your baby must also hold his bottle.

Baby follow-up: the 8th day specialized consultation

From birth to his 6 years, your child is subjected to medical examinations called "mandatory". The first being the specialized consultation the 8th day (also known by the parents, under the business name of the 8th day). How is it going? Who makes it? We take stock.

Summary

1. The course of the specialized consultation of the 8th day
2. The medical interview: a moment of exchange with the professional
3. The general physical examination of the infant
4. Examination of the head and the infant's skull
5. Examination of the vision and hearing of infants
6. Examination of the infant's skin
7. Laboratory tests of infant

From the birth to the age of 6, the law imposes 20 so-called "compulsory" medical examinations of the child (recommended, but not accompanied by sanctions), 9 of which are distributed during the first year of your baby's life. The goal ? Monitor your physical development (growth and weight), psychomotor, and emotional. These appointments also make it possible to identify anomalies, deficiencies and to follow up the vaccination schedule.

The course of the specialized consultation of the 8th day

At the end of the first week of life, your baby should be examined by a pediatrician, a doctor from the PMI (Infant Maternal Protection) or a general practitioner. The specialized day 8 consultation (CS8), pointed and complete, also called health check of the 8th day, is supported entirely by the social security. This is a preventive examination. The comprehensive review of the CS8 will be completed by the CS9 in the 9th month and the CS24 in the 24th month.

To know: previously, the specialized consultation of the 8th day was practiced in the maternity. Today, because of shortened stays at the maternity ward, it is done in the city, often by the midwives of the Perinatology network, particularly because of the lack of responsiveness of doctors.

The medical interview: a moment of exchange with the professional

During this first medical appointment outside the maternity ward, the doctor learns about the general health of the baby using his health book. The opportunity to take stock of the conditions of childbirth, birth and the chosen mode of feeding. You will be asked a number of questions about the course of pregnancy, childbirth, your family history and the return home (meals, sleep, bowel movements ...). It is also a moment of exchange between the health professional and the parents, especially if you encounter difficulties.

The general physical examination of the infant

The clinical examination of the eighth day makes it possible to detect possible anomalies of birth or developed just after the birth. With the help of a stethoscope, the doctor will listen to the baby's heart and control the breathing, in order to detect possible disorders (breathing or breathing sounds). A palpation will be performed to check the pulse, size of the spleen and liver. The genitals will also be checked for inguinal hernia.

Your infant's feet and hips are magnified to ensure there is no dislocation of the hip or malformation. The doctor also tests the nervous tone: tone of the trunk, arms and legs and palpates the lumbar fossae in search of a possible renal malformation. Not to mention the famous test of archaic reflexes, including the (surprising) automatic walk. He will also take a look at the umbilical cord to avoid any risk of infection.

Your baby will be measured (waist and circumference of the head), weighed and all this information will be reported in his health book and written on the curves.

Examination of the infant's head and skull

The practitioner performs a thorough neurological examination by checking the tone of the neck and head by testing the sitting position, while holding the neck. The fontanelles, these flexible membranes located on the skull of your baby, are examined. Over the months, the bones of the skull are welded and the fontanelles disappear. The nose and mouth of the infant are of course also sifted.

Examination of the vision and hearing of the infant

After making sure your infant is responding to the environment in which he is, the doctor focuses on his face. He examines the size of the eyes, the transparency of the lens, the appearance of the cornea and pupils, looking for a possible strabismus. He also controls hearing by checking that the baby responds to sounds and hears both ears.

 Hearing tests (PEA, EOA), now mandatory, are usually performed at the maternity ward, or within eight days of birth.

Examination of the skin of the infant

The doctor will take the time to look at your baby's skin, looking for any birthmarks. Examining your baby's skin (and the whites of the eyes) also helps to identify if your child has jaundice (also known as jaundice).

Biological examinations of infants

Apart from the screening for hereditary and congenital diseases, carried out during a blood test (Guthrie test) at the maternity ward, the doctor may prescribe additional tests, depending on the family's antecedents.

The health of toddlers

After several months of waiting, your family gets bigger. What a marvel, each of his babbling brings you joy. But once past the stage of fascination, baby often becomes the subject of questions and worries. How to prepare for your arrival and deal with small or bigger health concerns? How to accompany him in his first discoveries? What is the best diet for your toddler? You will know everything about his physical and mental evolution and much more. From her first smile to entering kindergarten, taking care of baby becomes child's play.