| Area of Concern | Screening Method | Recommendations |
|---|
Neonatal metabolic and genetic screening:
Hypothyroidism Sickle cell anemia PKU
| Blood tests:
- Serum T3/T4 levels ↓
- Sickledex ↓
- Phenylalanine levels ↓
| All are done in immediate neonatal period, within first few days of life. Testing for PKU must be done after infant has ingested formula or breast milk for 48–72 hours. |
| Lead poisoning (see Table 5-2. Child Preventive Care Timeline ) | Blood lead level (BLL) | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends universal or targeted screening for all children.
- At a minimum, all children should have BLL drawn between 1–2 years, or earlier if needed.
- BLL should also be done on any child between 3–6 years who has never been tested.
- Those children at high risk (e.g., live in older home with lead in paint and plumbing, have sibling or friend with lead poisoning) should be screened earlier and more frequently.
|
| Hyperlipidemia | Serum cholesterol levels | - Routinely at 2–4 years, 6 years, 10 years, 11–14 years, 15–17 years, and 18–21 years.
- May be done earlier or more frequently with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, parent with high cholesterol level.
|
| Cystic fibrosis | Genetic studies, sweat test | - Screen children who have sibling or other family members with CF.
- Screen family members of child with CF.
|
| Tuberculosis | Mantoux or PPD | First test done at age 12–15 months; repeated prn based on risk and exposure. |
| Latex allergies | Health history | During each routine visit, but especially important preoperatively or before procedures or children with ongoing urinary catheterizations (e.g., in myelomeningocele). |