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    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.

    Screening

    Who needs it

    How often

    Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections

    All people with a uterus in this age group who have sex

    Once a year

    High lead level

    Children age 6 and younger

    Questions to learn risk, or blood tests, may be done once a year

    HIV

    Children in this group who are ages 15 to 18. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider.

    At routine exams at age 15 or older (or younger if at risk)

    Obesity

    Assessment of risk for all children in this age group

    At routine exams

    Tooth decay and other dental problems 

    All children in this age group

    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.

    Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes

    Children ages 10 or older who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more other risk factors for diabetes

    At least every 3 years or more often if BMI is increasing

    Blood pressure

    All children 3 years of age and older

    Annual well-child visit

    Vision and hearing problems

    All children in this age group

    Screening 1 time between ages 3 and 5 years. After that, every 3 years.

    Anemia

    Children age 12 months and older

    1 time at about 12 months old, then repeated as needed based on risk

    Counseling

    Who needs it

    How often

    Depression

    Children between ages 12 and 18 years

    At routine exams

    Anxiety

    Children between ages 8 and 18

    At routine exams

    Prevention of skin cancer

    Pale-skinned children starting at age 6 months

    At routine exams

    Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

    Children in this age group who have sex

    At routine exams

    More physical activity

    Children with obesity, diabetes, or prediabetes

    At routine exams

    Prevention of tobacco use

    All school-age children

    At routine exams

    Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
    Online Medical Reviewer: Liora C Adler MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Tennille Dozier RN BSN RDMS
    Date Last Reviewed: 10/1/2022
    © 2000-2024 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.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

    Disclaimer