Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 2 to 18
Screening tests and health counseling are a key part of managing your child's health. A screening test is done to find disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be find a disease so lifestyle changes can be made. And your child can be watched closely to reduce the risk of disease.
Below are guidelines for children and teens from ages 2 to 18. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider. Based on your child’s health history and risk factors, the provider may change the screening advice. 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 child's provider as you talk about their 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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All people with a uterus in this age group who have sex
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Once a year
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High lead level
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Children age 6 and younger
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Questions to learn risk, or blood tests, may be done once a year
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HIV
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Children in this group who are ages 15 to 18. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider.
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At routine exams at age 15 or older (or younger if at risk)
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Obesity
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Assessment of risk for all children in this age group
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At routine exams
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Tooth decay and other dental problems
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All children in this age group
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Dental exams 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 ages 10 or older who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more other risk factors for diabetes
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At least every 3 years or more often if BMI is increasing
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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 problems
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All children in this age group
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Screening 1 time between ages 3 and 5 years. After that, every 3 years.
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Anemia
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Children age 12 months and older
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1 time at about 12 months old, then repeated as needed based on risk
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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
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At routine exams
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Prevention of skin cancer
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Pale-skinned children starting at age 6 months
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At routine exams
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Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Children in this age group who have sex
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At routine exams
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More physical activity
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Children with obesity, diabetes, or prediabetes
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At routine exams
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Prevention of tobacco use
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All school-age children
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At routine exams
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