Doctors should test middle school-age children for high cholesterol and start screening for depression at
age 11, according to updated guidelines from a leading group of U.S. pediatricians.
Doctors should also test older teens for HIV, the AIDS-causing virus, the revised preventive-care recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics say.
The new screening schedule provides "the recommended content for a well-child visit," said Dr. Joseph Hagan, co-editor of the guidelines. "Some changes are small, some will get people's attention."
The changes attempt to address several pressing health issues affecting U.S. families today. The nation's obesity epidemic means that children are developing high cholesterol levels -- a risk factor for heart disease -- at earlier ages. And depression is linked to higher risk for teen suicides and murder.
"One in five kids will, at some point in time, meet the criteria for depression," said Hagan, a professor in pediatrics at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
Kids' Checkups Should Include Cholesterol, Depression Tests, Doctors Say
Last edited {1}
Attachments
Images (1)
Comments (0)