Routine infant check-ups
From birth, an infant undergoes medical evaluations both in the maternity hospital and throughout the first months of life. These check-ups help assess the baby’s adaptation to life outside the womb, any birth traumas or congenital developmental conditions, overall growth and development, and the implementation of preventive healthcare measures.
The schedule for infant check-ups is determined by the Plan and Program of Health Protection Measures under Croatia’s Compulsory Health Insurance. According to this plan, infants are examined at the ages of one, two, four, six, nine and 12 months.
Newborn check-ups in maternity hospitals
The first newborn check-up takes place immediately after birth, assessing the baby’s condition using the Apgar score.This test evaluates skin colour, breathing and heart rate, muscle tone and reaction to stimuli. The Apgar score is also assessed at five minutes after birth, and if needed, every five minutes thereafter. While this test measures the baby’s initial adaptation to life outside the womb, it does not predict future psychomotor development.
After the Apgar assessment, the newborn is placed in skin-to-skin contact with the mother, and assistance is provided for the first breastfeeding session. The baby is then weighed and measured (length and head circumference).
In most maternity hospitals, the newborn also receives vitamin K and eye drops to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis.
Before discharge, a paediatric examination is conducted—usually in the mother’s presence— allowing her to observe her baby’s health and ask the paediatrician any questions.
During the first days after birth, newborns undergo screenings for phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, hearing impairment, and developmental hip dysplasia. Additionally, doctors assess the eyes, heart, lungs, spine, and feet to check for any abnormalities.
If no health concerns or risk factors are detected in hospital, the baby will continue routine healthy-baby check-ups with a selected paediatrician. However, if any health issues or growth and development concerns are identified, the infant will be referred for specialist examinations and interventions.
Routine check-ups in infancy
Routine infant check-ups take place at two, four, six, nine and 12 months at the paediatrician’s office. The first year of life is a period of rapid growth and development, making regular monitoring essential for detecting any potential health concerns early.
During each check-up, various aspects of the infant’s health are assessed, depending on their age, including:
- physical growth
- nutrition
- diet: breastfeeding or formula feeding
- psychomotor development
- vision
- hearing
- speech
- oral health
- vaccination status
- prevention of rickets (vitamin D supplementation) and anaemia (iron supplementation).
All health data is recorded in the child's electronic medical record (e-record), while growth measurements are documented in growth charts.These charts help track any deviations from expected growth patterns and determine whether the child is following their own growth curve.
After the first year, children undergo three additional routine check-ups before their pre-school medical assessment: at 18 months, three years, and five years. During each of these check-ups, detailed information about the child continues to be recorded.
Once a child enters primary school, their growth and development are monitored by the school medicine clinic. Routine check-ups are organized in coordination with the respective school medicine clinic and the school the child attends.
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