The Outcome of Regular Well-Child Follow-Up From Birth on Adolescent Well-Being

Age-appropriate preventive care and continuous health management are essential for maintaining health in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular well-child follow-up from birth on physiological and psychosocial characteristics during adolescence.

Adolescents aged 9-21 who presented to an Adolescent Health Outpatient Clinic (AHOC) for follow-up were stratified into two groups based on their longitudinal follow-up from birth until they commenced attendance at the AHOC. The first group consisted of adolescents whose child health follow-ups were conducted at the Well-Child Outpatient Clinic (WCOC) under the concept of social paediatrics (Group 1). The second group consisted of adolescents whose child health follow-ups were conducted by family physicians at family health centres but were not followed up at the WCOC (Group 2). A comparison of the groups was conducted using data recorded during their initial assessments at the AHOC retrospectively. These data included anthropometric measures, psychosocial assessments (using the HEEADSSS screening tool), immunisation status and laboratory findings. All data analyses were performed using IBM SPSS v.28, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Group 1 comprised 51.5% (n = 138), while Group 2 comprised 48.5% (n = 130). The study revealed no statistically significant differences in terms of gender or parental sociodemographic characteristics. The average age at data retrieval was found to be 10.1 years in Group 1 and 11.5 years in Group 2. This indicated that Group 1 exhibited a significantly younger average age. Additionally, Group 2 demonstrated significantly higher weight- and BMI-based SDS and a higher prevalence of anaemia. Subsequent analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in lipid values or height SDS. Group 2 exhibited a higher prevalence of psychosocial risks, including risks related to the home environment, educational attainment, dietary habits and suicide risk.

Structured regular child health follow-up from birth has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on adolescent health and well-being. This phenomenon persists irrespective of parental socioeconomic status, encompassing both physiological and psychosocial dimensions. However, observed variations may also be indicative of unmeasured parental health-seeking behaviours, health literacy and investment. Consequently, the interpretation of results should be approached with a degree of caution.