Health check-ups for children and adolescents

The health check-ups for children and adolescents, known as U1 to U9 and J1, can be an important building block for healthy child development. Especially in the first few years of life, children take huge developmental steps.

During the "U" examinations, the general state of health and age-appropriate development of a child are regularly checked by a doctor. This allows potential problems or abnormalities to be detected and treated at an early stage.

The health check-ups for children and adolescents are defined as benefits provided by statutory health insurance. The content, timing and structure of the examination program is determined by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) in the guideline on the early detection of diseases in children (children's guideline).

The individual U examinations consist of

• special screening examinations for certain diseases
• physical examinations of the child and
• a consultation with the parents

The physical examination of the child is tailored to the child's age and includes the examination of

• weight
• body length,
• age-appropriate development,
• examination of individual organs
• the head and
• the musculoskeletal system

During the developmental assessment, the doctor examines, among other things

• gross and fine motor skills,
• mental development,
• social and emotional competence and
• the child's interaction with the parents.

If these examinations reveal the presence or suspicion of an illness, the doctor should ensure that these cases receive further, targeted diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment.

In addition to early detection of illness, the doctor checks whether and, if so, which individual stresses and health risks are present in the child and advises the parents on how they can reduce these. If necessary, the doctor can issue a prevention recommendation and point out regional parent-child services.

Part of the examination is also a review of the child's vaccination status and advice on how to improve their vaccination protection. In addition, proof of a medical vaccination consultation must be provided when the child is first admitted to the daycare center.

The U examinations are documented in the yellow child examination booklet. It contains a removable participation card with which parents can prove to third parties - such as nurseries - that their child regularly attends the U-examinations without disclosing confidential information.

In addition to the statutory examinations of the U-examination program, a number of health insurance companies offer additional examinations, especially for children of primary school age (U10 and U11) and for adolescents (J2). Their range of examinations is not defined by the G-BA. The costs are covered by individual health insurance companies as a voluntary service.

The dental health of children and adolescents can be improved through early detection examinations and regular measures to prevent dental diseases. Statutory health insurance covers a wide range of early detection and preventive measures for children and adolescents.