Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 2 to 18
Screening tests and health counseling are an important part of managing your child's health. A screening test is done to find possible disorders or diseases in children who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so changes can be made and your child can be watched more closely to lower their chance for the disease. Screening tests also help detect a disease early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are used to find out if more testing is needed. Below are guidelines for children and teens from ages 2 to 18. Talk with your child's healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on what they need.
Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections
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Sexually active females, including those pregnant, ages 24 years and younger
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Once a year or as advised during pregnancy
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High lead level
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Children who are 6 years of age and younger
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Questions to determine risk or blood screening tests may be done once a year.
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HIV
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Children in this age group at risk for infection; talk with your child’s healthcare provider
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At routine exams
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Obesity
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Assessment of obesity risk in children 6 years of age and older
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At routine exams
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Oral health
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All children in this age group
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Oral health risk assessments every 6 months; fluoride supplements from age 6 months to 16 years for those with low fluoride levels in their water; fluoride varnish should be applied every 3 to 6 months; fluoride rinses may be used in children age 6 years or older, if they are able to rinse and spit
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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Children age 10 and older or who have reached puberty and are overweight or obese and have1 or more other risk factors for diabetes
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Every 3 years
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Blood pressure
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All children 3 years of age and older
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Annual well child visit
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Vision and hearing
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All children in this age group
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Hearing and vision testing at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10
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Counseling
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Who needs it
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How often
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Depression
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Children between ages 12 and 18 years
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At routine exams
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Anxiety
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Children between ages 8 and 18 years
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At routine exams
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Prevention of sexually transmitted infections
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Children in this age group who are sexually active
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At routine exams
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Prevention of skin cancer
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Fair-skinned children starting at age 10 years up to age 24
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At routine exams
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Increased physical activity
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All children, especially those with diabetes or prediabetes
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At routine exams
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Online Medical Reviewer:
Liora C Adler MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Maryann Foley RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Pat F Bass MD MPH
Date Last Reviewed:
1/1/2021
© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.