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.
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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 females 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 ages 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 13 to 18. Talk with your child’s provider.
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At routine exams at age 13 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 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.
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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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
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At least every 3 years or more often if BMI is going up
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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
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All children in this age group
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At least one time between ages 3 and 5 years. After that, every 1 to 2 years.
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Hearing
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All children in this age group
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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.
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Anemia
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All children in this age group
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Assess risk at all well-child visits up to 36 months of age and every year after that. Screening as needed per risk factors.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Depression and suicide
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Children ages 12 and older
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At routine exams
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Behavioral/social/emotional screening
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All children in this age group
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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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All children in this age group
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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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Physical activity
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All children in this age group
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At routine exams
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Tobacco, alcohol, or drug use
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Children ages 11 and older
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At routine exams
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Online Medical Reviewer:
L Renee Watson MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Rita Sather RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
12/1/2024
© 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.