As I was driving into work this morning, I heard on the radio news that the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force is now recommending routine mammograms begin for most women at the age of 50, not 40, which has been the standard since at least 2002.
The physical exam is an important part of any clinical evaluation. For a child, getting poked and prodded by a complete stranger can be quite scary. Throughout my rotations I have discovered that pediatricians have quite the arsenal of games and tricks to help get what they require from an exam while keeping the child as comfortable as possible. Ears can be examined while the child is in their parent’s arms. A fun sticker or penlight can keep an infant quiet long enough to listen to their heart and lungs. Having a child talk about this year’s Halloween costume helps them relax their tummy and allow for an abdominal exam.
