Five-Year Visit

Abstract

Mina Asad is coming to the pediatric clinic with her mother Mrs. Asad and her paternal grandmother. They live in a small urban city around the corner from the local mosque. They immigrated to America when Mina was 3 years old. Mina has been attending a preschool at the mosque and her mother is concerned about Mina starting kindergarten at the public school a few blocks away in the fall. Mina weighs 16 kg (35.2 lb) (25th percentile) and stands 108 cm (43.2 in.) in the 50th percentile. Her blood pressure is 91/53. Her BMI is 13.7 (in the 3rd percentile). Mina is a quiet girl at home with her older brothers. Her grandmother is concerned that in the public school Mina will be encouraged to speak up to boys, not only girls. This would not be considered respectful for a woman’s behavior in their culture. Mina wears a head veil, like her mother and grandmother. Mina can tell a story in full sentences, count to ten, and name six colors. She can draw a person with six body parts and can copy squares and triangles. She also can hop, skip, and likes to climb in the playground. Recently a fire erupted in Mina’s building and she has become fearful of noises. The grandmother is also concerned that Mina does not eat enough foods. She eats fruits and vegetables and dairy products but she is a very picky eater. She doesn’t like meat, fish, or eggs. She eats only white pita bread with humus for many meals, but won’t eat the falafel balls her grandma fries especially for her.