Preventive care - birth to age 18

What is preventive care?

Preventive care is the care your child gets when the doctor assesses your child's development and provides health education counseling, screening tests and immunizations. It is different than when you take your child to the doctor for a specific concern like a sprained ankle. Preventive care is aimed at keeping your child healthy or identifying problems while they are easiest to treat.How often does my child need to see a doctor for preventive care?

How often does my child need to see a doctor for preventive care?

Many factors need to be considered when deciding when to bring a child in for a preventive care visit. Recommended visits will vary with the age of your child. Most preventive care visits are scheduled when immunizations are recommended. Each visit includes a height and weight check and developmental assessment.

When to schedule a visit

Birth to 23 months

Visits usually are scheduled within the first 2 weeks, at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months and 23 months. Visits also include head circumference measurements, vision and hearing checks, height and weight check, body mass index (BMI) calculation, and developmental assessment. High-risk children may require lead testing at ages 12 months and 24 months. Check with your doctor.

Immunizations

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and poliovirus (DTaP-HepB-IPV): 2, 4 and 6 months
• Rotavirus (Rv): 2, 4 and 6 months
• H. influenza type B (Hib): 2, 4, 6 and 15 months
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 7): 2, 4, 6 and 15 months
• Influenza: Every year for ages 6 months and older
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): 12 to 15 months
• Varicella (chickenpox): 12 to 15 months
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP): 15 months
• Hepatitis A: 12 to 15 months and 18 to 23 months

2 to 6 years

Visits usually are scheduled at ages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Your child will have vision, hearing and blood pressure checks, height and weight check, BMI calculation, and developmental assessment.

Immunizations

• Influenza: Every year for ages 2 to 6
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP): 5 years
• Poliovirus (IPV): 5 years
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): 5 years
• Varicella (chickenpox): 5 years

7 to 11 years

Visits usually are scheduled at ages 8 and 10. Each visit includes a height and weight check, developmental assessment and blood pressure check, BMI calculation and developmental assessment.

12 to 18 years

Visits usually are at 14, 16 and 18 years. Your child will have a height and weight check, developmental assessment, blood pressure checks, counseling about tobacco, alcohol, drug use and sexual activity, and Pap tests and a chlamydia screening (if not done previously) at age 18 (or with onset of sexual intercourse).

Immunizations

• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
• Meningococcal conjugate (MCV4)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): Females only, three-dose series
• Varicella (chickenpox): second dose

Lifestyle habits

Make sure your children receive all the recommended immunizations and that your home is a safe, smoke-free environment. Children also need to use car seats and seat belts, wear bike helmets, eat a variety of nutritious foods and be physically active. Have them get regular dental checkups between ages 2 to 18. Ensure they are counseled about tobacco, alcohol, drug use and sexual activity.