From January 1, 2025, the schedule of compulsory medical examinations for children is modified, notably with the addition of a new appointment.
A new year, a new exam. From January 1, 2025, a new compulsory medical examination will be carried out during the child's 7th year. To summarize, between the 6th and 16th year, children will therefore have to undergo medical examinations: at 6 years old, at 7 years old, between 8 and 9 years old, between 11 and 13 years old, and between 15 and 16 years old.
This new medical examination is “useful and interesting” for Dr Emmanuel Delmas, pediatrician and author of the book “My child is STILL sick”. “It’s good not to space appointments too far apart. Monitoring children’s health is important, as well as prevention and screening tests,” he believes. But Dr Delmas regrets the lack of communication on this new examination: “We had almost no information”.
The content of this consultation is also unclear, especially since it is not indicated in the health record in force in 2025. Ultimately, the pediatrician doubts that this examination will really be carried out. “I think that in practice doctors will not necessarily take this obligation into account. Often, parents only consult when things are not going well,” he explains.
At these ages, compulsory medical examinations make it possible to check the child's general health, development, vision, hearing, sleep, or even the possible arrival of puberty. Another new feature for 2025, the consultation will also make it possible to identify possible psychological disorders, such as anxiety or depressive symptoms; and monitor screen usage.
Despite the addition of this new appointment, the total number of compulsory medical examinations will still be 20, since a medical examination between the 3rd week and the end of the 1st month after birth is eliminated from 2025. consultations are always covered 100% without advance costs.
