AAP Updates Preventive Pediatric Healthcare Screening Schedule

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated the schedule of “Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care.” The evidence-based changes and new recommendations — intended for well child visits — are summarized below:

• Vision screening: Changed from routine screening to a risk-assessment approach, because healthy young adults rarely develop new vision problems.

• Oral health: New recommendation for fluoride varnish from ages 6 months through 5 years. (https://www2.aap.org/oralhealth/PracticeTools.html)

• Alcohol and drug use assessment: Addition of the CRAFFT screening tool for adolescents. (http://www.Ceasar-boston.org/CRAFFT/index.php)

• Depression screening: New recommendation at ages 11 through 21 years.

• Dyslipidemia screening: An ad…