Screening tests and vaccines are an important part of managing your child's health. A screening test is done to find possible disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to lower your chance for the disease. Screening tests also helpdetect a disease early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are used to determine if more testing is needed. Below are guidelinesfor 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 he or she needs.
Screening
Who needs it
How often
Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections
Sexually active females up to age 24 years
Once a year
High lead level
Children who are 6 years of age and younger
Questions to determine risk or blood screening tests may be done once a year.
HIV
Children in this age group at risk for infection; talk with your child’s healthcare provider
At routine exams
Obesity
Assessment of obesity risk in children 6 years of age and older
Oral health
All children in this age group
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
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
Children age 10 or older or who have reached puberty and are overweight or obese and have1 or more additional diabetes risk factors
Every 3 years
Blood pressure
All children 3 years of age and older
Annual well child visit
Vision and hearing
Hearing and vision testing at ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10
Vaccines
DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
All children younger than age 7
Booster between ages 4 and 6 years
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis)
All children age 7 or older
Booster between ages 11 and 12 years
Chickenpox (varicella)
Children who have not had chickenpox
Hepatitis A
Children at risk (talk with your child’s healthcare provider) or those who didn’t have the vaccine at an earlier age
Should be fully vaccinated by age 2; if not, can have vaccine at routine visits, with second dose given at least 6 months after first dose
Hepatitis B
Children who didn’t have the vaccine at an earlier age
3-dose series: The second dose is given 1 to 2 months after the first dose, and the final dose is given 6 months after the first dose
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Children age 11 or 12 years, but may be given beginning at age 9 years through age 26
2-dose series: Ages 9 to 14 years, with second dose 6 to 12 months after the first
3-dose series: Ages 15 to 26, with the second dose given 1 to 2 months after the first dose, and the third dose given 6 months after the first dose
Inactivated poliovirus
All children
A final dose between ages 4 and 6 years
Influenza (flu)
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Second dose between ages 4 and 6 years
Meningococcal (conjugate)
1 dose between ages 11 and 12, and a booster at age 16, or by age 18 if not vaccinated before; only 1 dose is needed if the first dose is given at age 16 years or older; high-risk children should receive a vaccine series before age 2 years
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23)
PCV13: Healthy children between ages 2 and 5 years if not previously vaccinated at a younger age
PCV13/PPSV23: High-risk children (PCV13 starting at age 5 years and PPSV23 starting at age 2 years)
If both vaccines needed, PCV13 is given before PPSV23; timing and number of doses varies
Counseling
Depression
Children between ages 12 and 18 years
Prevention of sexually transmitted infections
Children in this age group who are sexually active
Prevention of skin cancer
Fair-skinned children starting at age 10 years up to age 24
Increased physical activity
All children, especially those with diabetes or prediabetes