Early Disease Detection
Screening, 11 to 24 Years
Generally, your child or teen is evaluated yearly from age 11 through 18. At each visit, your doctor will also check his or her growth and development. These checks are not specifically related to disease detection but are intended to see whether your child or teen is growing and developing normally.
Normal checks include:
- School and behavioural concerns, such as failing classes or dropping out of school, relationship problems with friends and family that affect home or school life, severe mood swings, lack of interest in normal activities and withdrawal from others, being physically aggressive, becoming sexually active, and drinking alcohol or using tobacco or drugs.
- Blood pressure. Your child or teen should have his or her blood pressure checked at a yearly medical checkup. After age 21, he or she should follow the adult blood pressure screening guidelines.
- Hearing.
- Scoliosis.
- Vision.
- Height and weight.
Other tests may include:
- Breast cancer screening for females.
- Cervical cancer screening for females.
- Cholesterol screening.
- Coronary artery disease screening.
- Diabetes screening.
- Hearing tests.
- Hematocrit test, which checks the volume of red blood cells.
- Screening for alcohol abuse (also called alcohol misuse).
- Screening for depression in adults.
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening.
- Testicular cancer screening for men.
- Tuberculosis screening.
- Urinalysis, which checks kidney function and looks for sugar (a sign of diabetes).
Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other conditions. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy.
Dental checkups are recommended for all children, teens, and young adults once or twice a year.
For more information on the milestones of teen growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years and Growth and Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: May 28, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine | |
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