Health Screening Guidelines, Ages 2 to 18

Screening tests are a key part of managing your child's health. Screening tests are done to find conditions in people who don't have any symptoms. These 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 to find a disease so lifestyle changes can be made. And your child can be watched closely to reduce the risk of disease.

Here are guidelines for children and teens from ages 2 to 18. Talk with your child’s health care provider. Based on your child’s health history and risk factors, the provider may change this advice. Make sure your child is up-to-date on what they need.

Screening

Who needs it

How often

Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections

All females in this age group who have sex

Once a year

High lead level

Children ages 6 and younger

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

HIV

Children in this group who are ages 13 to 18. Talk with your child’s provider.

At routine exams at age 13 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 may be applied every 3 to 6 months, based on the risk for tooth decay. 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 (or after onset of puberty) who are overweight or obese and have one or more other risk factors for diabetes

At least every 3 years or more often if BMI is going up

Blood pressure

All children 3 years of age and older

Annual well-child visit

Vision

All children in this age group

At least one time between ages 3 and 5 years. After that, every 1 to 2 years.

Hearing

All children in this age group

Once a year ages 4 through 6, followed by more screening at ages 8 and 10. Screening (with high frequency) once between 11 and 14 years, once between 15 and 17 years, and once between 18 and 21 years.

Anemia

All children in this age group

Assess risk at all well-child visits up to 36 months of age and every year after that. Screening as needed per risk factors.

Screening

Who needs it

How often

Depression and suicide

Children ages 12 and older

At routine exams

Behavioral/social/emotional screening

All children in this age group

At routine exams