Pediatric health promotion through risk reduction.

Abstract

The purpose of pediatric risk reduction is to both decrease the force of mortality acting in infancy and childhood and to promote the development of physically and emotionally comfortable adults. Due to the fact that much of the organism's capacity for optimal growth and development seems to be established during childhood, the ultimate potential of pediatric risk reduction is the improvement of the quality of life throughout its entire course. In discussing the concern of pediatric health promotion through risk reduction, attention is directed to the risks to children (mortality and morbidity risks), recommendations for pediatric risk reduction (family planning, prenatal care, care at birth, postnatal followup, and child health supervision), and children's life style and society. Risks may be divided into those affecting the child by their impact on the mother and those that affect the child directly. Maternal mortality represents a loss to any child in the family, as well as being the possible cause of an associated fetal or neonatal death. Infant mortality is largely due to conditions related to premature birth and congenital anomalies. True family planning is an essential measure for the reduction of pediatric risk. Possibly the most helpful approaches include the provision of sex education to adolescents and ensuring the availability of birth control devices. Research evidence shows that it is in the best interests of the child for parents to space pregnancies 2 or more years apart. Prenatal care needs to begin before conception occurs; both parents should be in optimal health. The need for education of parents who are having their 1st child cannot be overemphasized; much self-care and home care is both necessary and desirable.