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2 to 6 years

Make sure your young children get a healthy foundation as they grow.

Clinical screenings
Immunizations


Health Care Services When Description
Physical exam One visit every 12 months A complete physical exam is important to help keep your child healthy.
Health guidance During physical exam  
Clinical Screenings When Description
Blood pressure (age 3), height, weight and physical assessment
During physical exam A blood pressure check is important as your child grows and develops.
Urine test Once at age 5 A urine test checks for sugar and protein in the urine.
Vision screening

Once between ages 2 and 4

During this exam, the doctor will look for any unusual eye movements or problems your child may have seeing objects from a short distance.
Hearing screening Once between ages 2 and 6 This screening helps ensure that your child is hearing properly, and it can help your child's provider detect any hearing problems.
Lead screening Risk assessment for lead exposure

Blood test for those identified as at risk
Your child can get lead poisoning from eating lead paint chips, drinking water that came from lead pipes or breathing lead paint dust during home remodeling or construction.
Tuberculin skin test If child is at high risk TB is a disease that affects the lungs. It is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or saliva. TB may lead to pneumonia or other breathing problems.
Cholesterol screening If child is at high risk (obesity, diabetes, a family history of diabetes) A high level of cholesterol in the blood can lead to heart disease.
Prevention of dental cavities Oral fluoride supplementation may be prescribed if your home's water source doesn't provide it
Immunizations When Description
DTap
Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine
Once between ages 4 and 6 Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It blocks breathing.

Tetanus (lockjaw) makes the body's muscles tighten up and can cause difficulty swallowing.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes serious coughing spells that can prevent a baby from eating, drinking or breathing.
IPV
Polio vaccine
Once between ages 4 and 6 Polio is a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can cause paralysis.
MMR
Meals, mumps, and rubella vaccine
Second shot given between ages 4 and 6 Measles causes a rash, cough, runny nose and fever or pneumonia.

Mumps causes fever, headache and swollen glands. It may lead to deafness or sterility.

Rubella (or German measles) causes a rash and fever, and may cause arthritis and some birth defects.
Hep B
Hepatitis B vaccine
May begin three-dose series if not given in infancy Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Treatments are available, but there is no cure.
Var
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
Between 19 months and 12 years if your child has never had chickenpox or the varicella vaccine Chickenpox causes a rash, itching, fever and scarring. It may lead to shingles (a painful rash) years later.
Flu
Influenza vaccine
If child is at high risk

Ask your child's doctor what is best
Flu causes fever, cough, headache and muscle aches. Children with asthma or HIV may have more severe symptoms.
Pneumonia
Pneumococcal vaccine
A single dose if not immunized previously
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes cough, fever and shortness of breath.


Last modified 04/22/08