Safeguarding Your Child's Health
Pediatrics: Preventive Screening
Preventive services help your child stay healthy by detecting health problems early, determining the most effective treatments, and preventing certain diseases.
These services include exams, lab tests, and screenings and can detect congenital conditions, lead poisoning, anemia, autism, and more. Preventive screening is available at every stage of your child’s life: infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
Read more below to learn about recommended screenings during your child’s most important life stages.
Infancy
Pediatric preventive screening in infancy, as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Periodicity Schedule, involves comprehensive assessments during wellness visits. These screenings occur at multiple stages: newborn, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Key screenings include:
- Evaluations for developmental milestones
- Hearing and vision tests
- Checks for congenital conditions
Infants are also screened for anemia, lead exposure, hepatitis B, and oral health issues.
Early Childhood
Preventive screening in early childhood includes assessments at 15, 18, 24, and 30 months, as well as at 3 and 4 years old. These visits include:
- Developmental milestones
- Autism assessment
- Behavioral issues assessment
- Checks for vision, hearing, and oral health
It is recommended that children are evaluated for anemia, lead exposure, and risk factors for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and high cholesterol levels.
Middle Childhood
Preventive screening in middle childhood includes regular yearly assessments from age 5 through 11 years old. These visits should include:
- Physical growth and development assessment
- Vision and hearing screenings
- Mental and behavioral health evaluation
Additionally, screenings for anemia, high cholesterol, and risk factors for conditions like high blood pressure, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis are conducted.
Adolescence
Preventive screening in adolescence involves regular yearly check-ups from age 12, through 21 years. These visits include:
- Physical growth assessment
- Mental and behavioral health evaluation
- Vision and hearing screening
- Substance use assessment
- Sexual health screening
Your healthcare provider will also check your child’s risk factors for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and anemia.
Choose HNL Lab Medicine
Choose HNL Lab Medicine for your child’s preventive screening lab work. We offer lab tests for developmental, genetic, and metabolic disorders, alongside routine blood tests.
Our pediatric phlebotomy services are tailored to minimize discomfort and anxiety for your child, ensuring a safe and child-friendly experience.
With our experienced staff and state-of-the-art technology, HNL Lab Medicine is dedicated to keeping your children in the best health.
REFERENCE
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024, May 20). Preventive care/Periodicity schedule. https://www.aap.org/en/practice-management/care-delivery-approaches/periodicity-schedule/.