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Children between one to four years of age are called Toddlers. They are very much vulnerable to suffer from infectious disease. A slight change in the environment may cause serious health hazard to them. Most of the times, they can’t complain or communicate to the parents and that’s why propagation of disease is often remain unnoticed. Sometimes their complaints may be misinterpreted due to illiteracy or ignorance of guardians. So, to ensure proper health care for the toddlers Under Five Clinic is necessary. Characteristics of Toddlers: There are some specific characteristics of toddlers. On the basis of these characteristics, their health problems are unique and solutions to those problems are only to be provided by professionals. The characteristics of toddlers are: - Constitutes Large Number of Total Population: They constitute a hue portion of the total population. Most of them lives in rural area, urban slums and tribal areas as because, methods and practices of family planning is less among the people who live there.
- Mortality: They have a high mortality rate. It is about 11.2% of all deaths.
- Morbidity: Protein Energy Malnutrition, Diarrhea, Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, skin & eye infections, intestinal parasites, home accidents, poisoning (mostly accidental), child labor etc are more common .
- Growth & Development: The importance of the first 5 to 6 year of age of a child is well-known. Any adverse influence operating on child during this period especially Malnutrition and infections may result in severe limitations in the development as well as mental retardation. Some of which may be irreversible.
- Accessibility: Toddlers are hard to reach or communicate. A feeling of insecurity and/ or shyness keeps them away from seeking help or complaining. Sometimes it becomes tough to monitor their health and get idea about any sort of health hazard which is bugging them. So special imparts are needed e.g. Day Care Center, Play Group Center, Children’s Club; to reach to toddlers as to bring into the orbit of health care.
Major Childhood Problems: - Low birth weight.
- Malnutrition.
- Parasitic infestation.
- Streptococcal infection.
- Accidents.
- Poisoning.
- Behavioral problem.
- Problems regarding socialization.
Functions of Under Five Clinic: - Care in illness: This is the mother’s “felt need”. The care in illness for children includes:
- Diagnosis & Treatment of acute illness, chronic illness, disorders of growth & development etc.
- X-ray and laboratory services.
- Referral services.
- Preventive care:
- Immunization.
- Nutritional surveillance. (PEM, Anemia, BMR, BMI etc.)
- Health check-up for every 6 months.
- Oral rehydration.
- Health education & family planning
- Growth monitoring: Monitoring the weight & height of the child.
- Every month: Up to one year of age.
- Every 2 months: Up to three years of age
- Every six month: Up to five year of age
As toddlers are dependent on us, it is our duty to provide health support to them and secure their future.
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