Prevention Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
Prevention Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
Here are the screening tests and immunizations for infants from birth to age 2. Although you and your health care provider may decide that a different schedule is best for your baby, this plan can guide your discussion.
Screening |
Who needs it |
How often |
---|---|---|
Apgar (measurements done soon after birth -- heart rate, breathing, skin color, muscle tone, and reflex responses -- to evaluate the newborn's general condition and alertness at birth. |
All newborns |
1 and 5 minutes after birth |
High lead level |
All children in this age group |
Risk assessment of lead exposure at age 6, 9 and 18 months; risk assessment or blood test at 12 and 24 months |
Newborn screenings (a series of tests for metabolic, endocrine, hemoglobin, and other conditions; tests may vary by state) Tests include hearing loss, congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, severe heart problems, and severe immunodeficiency |
All newborns. talk with your health care provider about the tests in your state |
Before leaving hospital |
Tooth decay |
Children ages 6 months and older |
Dental exams every 6 months; fluoride supplements from age 6 months to 16 years for those with low fluoride levels in their water, fluoride varnish should be applied every 3 to 6 months |
Immunizations |
Who needs it |
How often |
Hepatitis B vaccine |
All infants |
At birth, between ages 1 to 2 months, and a final dose between ages 6 to 18 months |
DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) |
All infants |
At ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, between ages 15 to 18 months, and a booster between ages 4 to 6 years |
Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate |
All infants |
2-dose series: At ages 2 and 4 months; booster dose between 12 to 15 months 3-dose series: At ages 2,4, and 6 months; booster dose between ages 12 to 15 months |
Inactivated poliovirus |
All infants |
At ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months (and a booster at 4 to 6 years) |
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) |
All infants |
At ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and at 12 to 15 months |
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) |
All infants |
First dose between ages12 to 15 months (and the second dose between 4 to 6 years, or before starting kindergarten) |
Chickenpox (varicella) |
Those infants who have not contracted chickenpox |
Between ages 12 to15 months, and the second dose between 4 to 6 years |
Flu (seasonal); trivalent inactivated influenza |
All infants |
At age 6 months, and then annually when the flu vaccine becomes available in the community; the first year your child gets this vaccine 2 doses are required |
Hepatitis A |
All infants |
Between ages 12 to 23 months, with a second dose at least 6 months after the first dose |
Rotavirus |
All infants |
2-dose series: At ages 2 months, and 4 months 3-dose series: At ages 2,4, and 6 |
*Screening guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Immunization schedule from the CDC
Updated:  
August 20, 2017
Sources:  
Clark M. Fluoride Use in Caries Prevention in the Primary Care Setting. Pediatrics. 2014;134(3):626-33.
Reviewed By:  
Adler, Liora, C., MD,Finke, Amy, RN, BSN