Regular medical examinations are conducted for children to monitor their health and development. This involves the cooperation of paediatricians, family physicians, family nurses and specialist doctors. Both the physical and psychological development of the child are monitored, including growth, weight, hearing, vision and speech. The content of health checks varies based on the child’s age.

Primarily, the agreed-upon stages in child development are related to language and speech development, movement, social and emotional skills and cognitive abilities. The stages of a child’s development provide a general idea of anticipated changes, but each child’s development is different. Assistance from a specialist should be sought if the child lacks most of the skills typically acquired during a developmental stage. If you have concerns, it is advisable to discuss deviations and observations with your family physician, paediatrician or a relevant specialist.

You have the right to seek a second opinion if you have doubts about your attending physician’s decision. The family physician can recommend another specialist or health care institution.

You can request a second opinion regarding the accuracy of the diagnosis, the necessity of the prescribed medication or medical services, the explained alternatives and their expected impact, and the risks associated with the treatment. If you doubt the specialist’s assessment, ask your family physician for a referral to another specialist for a second opinion. Your child’s attending physician is obliged to provide all documents reflecting your child’s treatment to the second opinion provider.

Be prepared that it can take a long time to get a definitive diagnosis. The same symptom can indicate different conditions. Reaching the actual diagnosis may require various tests and analyses. This, in turn, means moving between different doctors and hospitals. You are not obliged to go to the hospital in your area of residence; you can choose a physician and hospital that suit you and your child. For example, some physicians specialise in specific diseases and can provide detailed information about the disease, what to expect, and how to arrange treatment.

Please note that the results of various analyses will appear in the Health Portal at different times. The fact that the results of one analysis are available in the Health Portal does not necessarily mean that the physician has all the information needed to make a diagnosis. The physician reviews the results of all the analyses before making further decisions. Your child’s attending physician is the best person to interpret the analysis results, and explanations you find online may not be relevant to your child’s condition.

A child’s quality of life is not only determined by the diagnosis but also by how the child copes with everyday life. If a child experiences developmental issues, additional monitoring and support may occasionally be sufficient. With appropriate treatment or the results of additional examinations, it may become clear that the child’s special need is not permanent.

Tervisekassa
Ministry of Social Affairs
Social Insurance Board

Riigiportaal - Birth of a child with special needs
Riigiportaal - The health of a newborn
Estonian Health Insurance Fund - Children’s health monitoring
Rajaleidja – Advice for parents
Social Insurance Board - Child Helpline 116111
Social Insurance Board – Children’s speech development and noticing differences
National Institute for Health Development – Stages of child development