Contents
What is the health record for?
The health record collects all the medical information necessary for monitoring the child. Family history, allergies, dental examinations or vaccinations, any element relating to the health of the child must be noted there. It makes it possible to establish a link between the different doctors that the child may encounter.. It also proves that the obligatory visits of the 8 days, 2nd weeks, and each month between 1 and 6 months have been made. It concerns children and adolescents up to the age of 18, but is compulsory only up to the age of 16. Finally, the certificates it contains serve to constitute statistical bases at the national level.
Who is the health record for?
It is above all a tool for the use of health professionals, whoever they are (pediatricians, general practitioners, ENT, dentists, etc.). But it is also a communication medium between the family and the medical profession. All information it contains is confidential and, as such, it is preferable to preserve it in a closed envelope marked “medical confidentiality” if it is entrusted to a third party or to the child.
The directors of schools, nurseries or day centers have no right to inspect the health record. Only photocopies of the vaccinations pages can be requested.
What do we find in the health record?
The health record is broken down into seven parts:
- Long-term illnesses and allergies: the first information needed in an emergency.
- The perinatal period: from the last months of pregnancy to the seventh day of life (birth exams, weight curve for the first month, etc.).
- Follow-up from birth to adulthood: step by step, the examinations necessary to watch over development.
- Growth charts: height, weight, head circumference and body mass index (adapted according to sex).
- Oral health: preventive examinations for 6 and 12 years old.
- Hospitalizations and radiological examinations.
- Vaccinations: the vaccination schedule and certificates.
How to get it ?
Most maternity hospitals have agreements with the municipal civil state services and send the booklet when the child is born.
Failing that or in case of loss, contact the maternal and child protection (PMI) or the town hall of your municipality.
What are the little extras of the health record?
Over the years, the health record has gradually evolved. Today, it has been enriched with many pages intended for parents but also for adolescents. The “advice” pages provide information, among other things, on the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome or on the risks and dangers of domestic accidents. For example, “practical” pages provide guidelines on food in the form of a table.