Your Child's Health/Family Life

our children need regular physical exams and health screenings from the day they’re born until the day they become adults.

Photo of a girl with her mother at the doctor's office “A doctor should assess children at different points of time to promote healthy age-appropriate behaviors and identify any problems as early as possible,” says Dr. Janet Squires, chief of the clinical service of general pediatrics at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

Here is one sample list:

Physical exam: First exam is at birth, then at 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months. A 2-week exam often is recommended, especially for babies who are breastfed. The doctor checks height, weight and head circumference.
Hearing test: At birth, especially for infants who require neonatal care.
Eye exam: First exam by 6 months to check for vision problems and eye disease.
Dental exam: At 6 and 12 months.

Physical exam: At 15, 18 and 24 months, then annually near the child’s birthday. Doctor checks height and weight and, beginning at age 3, blood pressure.
Hearing test: As needed.
Eye exam: At age 3.
Dental exam: Every six months.

Physical exam: Annually, but exams may be skipped at ages 7 and 9. The doctor checks height, weight and blood pressure. Blood tests, including one for cholesterol levels, may be done every five years beginning at age 5.
Hearing test: Before entering school, then annually through the third grade.
Eye exam: Before first grade, then every two years.
Dental exam: Every six months.

Physical exam: Annually. The doctor checks height, weight and blood pressure. Cholesterol test may be done every five years.
Hearing test: In seventh and 11th grades.
Eye exam: Every two years.
Dental exam: Every six months.
Pelvic exam and Pap test: Annually for sexually active girls.
Screening for sexually transmitted diseases: Annually for sexually active teens.

For more information, an up-to-date vaccination schedule and any special suggestions for your child, see your child’s doctor.

Photo of a mother holding a newborn The state of Texas requires every newborn to be screened twice with blood tests for five congenital disorders: phenylketonuria, galactosemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. Thousands of children have benefited from these screening programs, which allow diseases to be diagnosed and treated before there are symptoms.
In recent years, parents have learned that they can pay $25 to $99 to have a private laboratory screen for 25 to 30 additional disorders. Parents may wonder if such tests should be pursued.
Whether these expanded screening tests should become routine is a topic of debate. Most of the conditions are rare, and not all are treatable. And, because the screening tests are not definitive, their results can cause unnecessary fear and additional testing costs. Some experts, however, feel that the additional information is valuable.
Parents may wish to learn more about expanded screening for genetic conditions for infants. This is especially important for families with a history of unexplained child deaths. Pediatricians can be consulted during a pregnancy if prospective parents want to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of extended testing.
For more information on newborn screening, visit www.childrens.com.