What is the U3?
The U3 is the third preventive examination in childhood in which the child’s developmental stage is assessed and attention is paid to certain diseases. The examination is also an opportunity for parents to ask questions and obtain additional information about caring for their baby. The results are recorded in the yellow booklet that the parents receive from their maternity ward or midwife.
When will the U3 take place?
The U3 is performed in the fourth to fifth week of life. The earliest it is possible from the third week of life and should be done by the eighth week of life at the latest. In most cases, the U3 is the first contact with the pediatrician in private practice, since the U1 and U2 are still performed in hospital.
Which examinations are carried out?
First the pediatrician asks the parents whether they have noticed anything and how the new family member has developed. The doctor contacts the child and speaks to him/her. In this way it can be assessed whether the child can fix faces and hear normally.
A physical examination begins with measuring and weighing the child, as a comparison with children of the same age is already possible here. The pediatrician looks at the child’s skin and eyes and palpates the organs and bone points. This includes palpation of the liver and spleen, as well as the development of the spine.
At U3, special attention is paid to the development of the child‘s hips. For this purpose, an ultrasound is performed, which allows the pediatrician to assess whether the hip position is normal for the child’s age. Not every pediatrician performs this part of the examination himself.
Some refer the children to an orthopedist for this. It is also part of the preventive examination that the pediatrician observes how the relationship between the parents and the child is. With the help of some physical exercises, the pediatrician can get an overview of what the child is already capable of.
For example, the doctor holds the child only by the stomach and checks whether the child turns its head and how it holds its arms and legs. In the prone position, the child should be able to turn its head to the side. Furthermore, the examining doctor tests the child’s reflexes.
For example, the grasping reflex is tested by the doctor stroking the palm of the hand and closing the child’s hand. Another reflex at this age is the sucking reflex, which can be triggered by touching the corner of the mouth. This concludes the actual examination.
However, an important part of the U3 is not only the physical examination of the child, but also a consultation with the parents. Various topics are addressed here. The parents are advised on the subject of vaccinations for the baby, as the first vaccination appointments can be taken at the age of six to eight weeks.
This concerns the vaccinations against: -Rotavirus –Tetanus –Diphtheria -Pertussis -Paralysis –Hepatitis B -Hemophilus Influenza and Pneumococcus The parents are informed about the vaccinations and the diseases and a vaccination is recommended. If desired by the parents, an appointment for the first vaccinations can be made directly here. In addition, there is a consultation on the prevention of sudden infant death, accident prevention, breastfeeding and nutrition.
The third administration of vitamin K to promote blood clotting and the recommendation for the administration of vitamin D and fluoride also belong to the U3. Another part of the preventive examination is that the pediatrician observes how the relationship between the parents and the child is. With the help of some gymnastic exercises, the pediatrician can get an overview of what the child is already capable of.
For example, the doctor will hold the child only by the stomach and check if the child turns its head and how it holds its arms and legs. In the prone position, the child should be able to turn its head to the side. Furthermore, the examining doctor tests the child’s reflexes.
For example, the grasping reflex is tested by the doctor stroking the palm of the hand and closing the child’s hand. Another reflex at this age is the sucking reflex, which can be triggered by touching the corner of the mouth. This concludes the actual examination.
However, an important part of the U3 is not only the physical examination of the child, but also a consultation with the parents. Various topics are addressed here.Parents are advised on the subject of vaccinations for babies, as the first vaccination dates can be taken at the age of six to eight weeks. This concerns the vaccinations against: -rotavirus –tetanus –diphtheria – whooping cough – polio –hepatitis B -hemophilus influenza and pneumococcus Parents are informed about the vaccinations and the diseases and vaccination is recommended.
If desired by the parents, an appointment for the first vaccinations can be made directly here. In addition, there is a consultation on the prevention of sudden infant death, accident prevention, breastfeeding and nutrition. The third administration of vitamin K to promote blood clotting and the recommendation for the administration of vitamin D and fluoride also belong to the U3.
However, an important part of the U3 is not only the physical examination of the child, but also advice for parents. Various topics are addressed here. Parents are advised on the subject of vaccinations for babies, as the first vaccination appointments can be taken at the age of six to eight weeks.
This concerns the vaccinations against: -Rotavirus –Tetanus –Diphtheria -Pertussis -Paralysis –Hepatitis B -Hemophilus Influenza and Pneumococcus The parents are informed about the vaccinations and the diseases and a vaccination is recommended. If desired by the parents, an appointment for the first vaccinations can be made directly here. In addition, there is a consultation on the prevention of sudden infant death, accident prevention, breastfeeding and nutrition.
The third administration of vitamin K to promote blood clotting and the recommendation for the administration of vitamin D and fluoride also belong to the U3. In addition, advice is given on the prevention of sudden infant death, accident prevention and on breastfeeding and nutrition. Also the third gift of Vitamin K for the promotion of blood clotting and the recommendation for the gift of Vitamin D and fluoride belongs also to the U3.
