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Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Important Family Records
There are a number of records which you need to keep for
your baby.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Your baby's birth certificate is official proof of her date
of birth and citizenship. The birth certificate is required
to start school, to obtain a driver's license, or to apply
for a passport. It may also be needed to prove the right to
vote, marry, secure Social Security benefits, and even to
inherit property.
The staff at the hospital where your baby is born routinely
register the birth with the local health department or
registrar of births. If you have a home birth, be sure
someone is responsible for registering the birth.
You will receive official notification when the record of
your baby's birth is filed. This notification is usually in
the form of a copy of the registration or the birth
certificate, and the information on it should be checked to
make certain it is correct. Have any mistakes corrected
immediately. A correction or addition usually involves
obtaining an affidavit; call and find out before you make a
trip to the health department.
HINT: It is a good idea to have several certificated copies
of the birth certificate made, and to keep at least one in a
safe place like a safety deposit box.
MEDICAL RECORDS
Accurate medical records are important for all members of
the family. They are useful when you apply for health and
life insurance and also help your physician diagnose
possible family tendencies toward certain diseases.
YOUR CHILD'S MEDICAL RECORD
Key parts of your baby's medical record include:
- Precise dates of all immunizations (required for
admission to school).
- Allergies and other physical problems that require
special medication.
- Any injuries, including date and age when they happened
and any treatment your child received.
FAMILY MEDICAL RECORD
In addition to your child's medical record, the family
medical record should also include:
- Family Tree Medical History: the dates and places of
birth, medical history (diabetes, glaucoma, high blood
pressure, etc.), and cause of death of all your close
kin.
- Immediate Family Medical History: all times the members
of your immediate family have been in the hospital (when,
where, what for, the name of your physician).
- Any specific food or drug allergies of family members.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
You should immediately obtain a Social Security number for
your baby. Federal law requires that your child have a
Social Security number by the age of 2 years. Your local
Social Security office will mail you the proper application
forms if you call and request them.
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