All issues > Volume 51(3); 2008

Review Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2008;51(3):225-232. Published online March 15, 2008.

Overview of the national health screening program for infant and children

Baik-Lin BL Eun¹, Seong Woo SW Kim², Young Key YK Kim³, Jung Wook JW Kim⁴, Jin Soo JS Moon⁵, Su Kyung SK Park⁶, In Kyung IK Sung⁷, Son Moon SM Shin⁸, Sun Mi SM Yoo⁹, So Hee SH Eun¹, Hea Kyoung HK Lee¹⁰, Hyun Taek HT Lim¹¹, Hee Jung HJ Chung¹²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine
²Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Health Insurance Corporation, Ilsan Hospital
³Department of Psychiatry, National Health Insurance Corporation, Ilsan Hospital
⁴Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
⁵Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University
⁶Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University
⁷Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University College of Medicine
⁸Department of Pediatrics, Kwandong University College of Medicine
⁹Department of Family Medicine, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital
¹⁰Department of Ophthalmology, Ulsan University College of Medicine
¹¹Department of Ophthalmology, Ulsan University College of Medicine
¹²Department of Pediatrics, National Health Insurance Corporation, Ilsan Hospita

Correspondence Hee Jung HJ Chung ,Email: agathac@nhimc.or.kr

Abstract

The mission of National Health Screening Program for Infant and Children is to promote and improve the health, education, and well-being of infants, children, families, and communities. Although the term 'diagnosis' usually relates to pathology, a similar diagnostic approach applies to the child seen primarily for health supervision. In the case of health, diagnosis determines the selection of appropriate health promoting and preventive interventions, whether medical, dental, nutritional, educational, or psychosocial. Components of the diagnostic process in health supervision include the health 'interview'; assessment of physiological, emotional, cognitive, and social development (including critical developmental milestones); physical examination; screening procedures; and evaluation of strengths and issues. Open and informed communication between the health professional and the family remains the most significant component of both health diagnosis and health promotion. Families complete medical history forms at their health supervision visit. Family-friendly questionnaires, checklists, and surveys that are appropriate for the child''s age are additional tools to improve and update data gathering. This type of information helps initiate and inform discussions between the family and the health professional. This article provides a comprehensive review of current National Health Screening Program for Infant and Children in Korea.

Keywords :National health programs, Developmental surveillance, Infant, Child, Korea