A new compulsory medical examination for children from January 1, 2025

Between birth and the age of 16, children must pass 20 compulsory medical examinations. The latter make it possible to monitor their health, their growth, their development in every sense of the word, to ensure that the compulsory vaccination schedule is respected, etc. From January 1, 2025, doctors will also have to identify psychological disorders, including anxiety or depressive disorders, and administer preventive treatments for certain childhood illnesses if necessary. Two other changes will take place at the start of the year: one compulsory exam will be removed, and another will be created.

Mandatory medical examination removed before age 6

Currently, babies must pass 17 compulsory exams in their first six years of life, including 14 in the first three. As of January 1, 2025, there will be one less. In fact, the one which must take place between the 3rd week and the end of the 1st month will be deleted, indicates the government Public Service website. Here is the list of exams to be done between 0 and 6 years old:

• 1 examination within 8 days of birth
• 1 exam during the 2nd week
• 1 exam per month between the 2nd and 6th month
• 1 exam during the 9th month
• 1 exam during the 12th month
• 1 exam during the 13th month
• 1 exam between 16 and 18 months
• 1 exam during the 24th or 25th month
• 1 exam per year between 3 and 6 years old

A new compulsory medical examination after 6 years

If a compulsory exam is removed before 6 years, another is added after. It must be carried out during the 7th year, bringing the number of compulsory medical examinations between the ages of 7 and 16 to four. Here is when they should be done:

• 1 exam during the 7th year
• 1 exam between 8 and 9 years old
• 1 exam between 11 and 13 years old
• 1 exam between 15 and 16 years old