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Clinical exam · History taking and the interview

Pediatric history: perinatal, growth, development and vaccines !

  • History

A child's history adds questions about pregnancy, birth, feeding, growth, development and vaccines.

Updated 2026-11-01

What it is

The pediatric history follows the order of the adult history, but the informant is usually the mother, father or carer, and it adds its own blocks: prenatal and perinatal history, feeding, growth, psychomotor development and immunisation. These data explain many of a child's problems and catch developmental delays or missing vaccines in time. Adolescents are also offered time alone, with confidentiality.

What it must include

  • Informant and reliability.
  • Prenatal, birth and neonatal history.
  • Current and past feeding.
  • Weight, length or height and head circumference on their chart.
  • Developmental milestones; in Colombia the Escala Abreviada de Desarrollo is used.
  • Immunisations checked on the card; schooling, family setting and home hazards.

How to ask

  1. 'What is your relationship to the child? Do you live with them?'
  2. 'How was the pregnancy? How many antenatal visits? Any infections, high blood pressure or diabetes?'
  3. 'Was the baby born at term? Vaginal birth or caesarean? Birth weight? Did the baby cry straight away or need help?'
  4. 'Was the baby breastfed? Until what age only breast milk? When did other foods start?'
  5. 'At what age did the child hold up their head, sit, walk and say first words?'
  6. 'Is there anything the child used to do and no longer does?'
  7. 'May I see the vaccination card?'
  8. 'Does the child attend nursery or school? How is it going?'

Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

Which perinatal data are asked in the pediatric history?

Antenatal care and pregnancy complications, gestational age, mode of delivery, birth weight, Apgar, need for resuscitation, and neonatal jaundice or admission.

Which developmental finding is always a red flag, at any age?

Loss of skills the child had already gained (regression).

Why is the vaccination card requested instead of relying on the account?

Because carers' memory is imprecise; the card shows which doses were given and which are missing under the national schedule.

What does WHO recommend about breastfeeding in the first months?

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.

Add to my cards (4)

← All of the clinical exam

Educational content on the clinical exam; it is learned and practised under supervision. It does not replace assessment by a health professional and is not for self-diagnosis.

Sources: CDC's Developmental Milestones (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025); Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (Addendum updated July 2, 2025) | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.