Eyes and ears tested: West Flemish babies at the forefront of Kind en Gezin

During the first 1,000 days of a newborn baby’s life, parents can count on extensive and free help and support from Kind en Gezin. During this period, the hearing and sight of the children are also tested. The earlier deviations can be detected, the better chance there is of avoiding problems in the future.

West Flanders is the front runner

84 percent of Flemish children born in 2019 underwent at least one eye test before the age of three. 5.5 percent of these were referred to an ophthalmologist. 94 percent of babies in Flanders also received an ear test last year, and in our province that figure even rises to almost 98 percent.

Minister Crevits emphasizes the importance of the tests: “We reach almost everyone for the ear tests, there is still room for improvement for the eye tests. I think it often has to do with not feeling important enough. Is that what we need to do now? Our baby is watching, right? We see it react. But there may be hidden things behind it.”

Move enough

The figures also show that the number of overweight 2-year-olds is lowest in West Flanders. About 8.5% of that age group is overweight in our province. Doctors from Kind en Gezin therefore advise parents to let their children exercise sufficiently.