Prevention Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print Prevention Guidelines for Children from Birth to Age 2 Screening tests and vaccines are an important part of managing your child’s health. Below are guidelines for these, for children from birth to age 2. You and your child’s healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for your child. But this plan can guide your discussion. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on what he or she needs. Screening Who needs it How often Apgar score. These are measurements done soon after birth. They include heart rate, breathing, skin color, muscle tone, and reflex responses. This score is used to check a newborn's general health 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 6, 9, and 18 months. Risk assessment or blood test at 12 and 24 months. Newborn screenings. This is a series of tests for metabolic, endocrine, hemoglobin, and other conditions. The tests may vary by state. Tests check for hearing loss, congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, severe heart problems, and severe immunodeficiency. All newborns. Ask your child's healthcare provider about the tests in your state. Before leaving the 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. Vaccines 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 yearly when the flu vaccine is available. 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 Expert Care for Life Starts Here Adult Primary Care Pediatric Primary Care Urgent Care Need Help 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771) Schedule a Callback Looking for a Physician Choose a doctor and schedule an appointment. Find a Doctor Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility