Check Up Packages

Children’s Check-Up

The most reliable way to understand whether your child is growing up healthy is through comprehensive health screenings performed at regular intervals.

Children’s check-up detects health problems that have not yet shown symptoms at an early stage, offering the opportunity for intervention. Many situations that parents evaluate as “looks fine, no problem” can present a different picture in the clinical setting.

What Is a Children’s Check-Up?

It is a systematic health screening that holistically evaluates the child’s physical, mental, and developmental status without any complaints.

Unlike adult check-up programs, the children’s check-up covers growth curves, developmental milestones, nutritional status, vitamin and mineral levels, and age-specific risk factors.

The goal is not only to detect existing diseases, but to prevent problems that may arise in the future.

Why Should a Children’s Check-Up Be Done?

A significant portion of childhood diseases show no symptoms at the beginning.

Conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, thyroid disorders, vision and hearing problems, vitamin D deficiency, and developmental delay — when not noticed in the early period — directly and negatively affect academic success, social development, and adult health.

Regular check-ups change this picture. A problem caught early can be resolved in a shorter time and with less intervention.

Specialist Dr. Ferit Arğun: “Parents take their children’s ‘energetic’ appearance as a sign of good health. However, the most common picture we encounter in clinical practice is iron deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency that show no symptoms. These two conditions can only be revealed through a blood test.”

Which Age Group Is the Children’s Check-Up Suitable For?

It is suitable for all children and young people between the ages of 0–17, from newborn to the end of adolescence.

Each age period has its own unique priorities:

• 0–2 years: Motor development follow-up, congenital anomaly screening, nutritional assessment
• 3–6 years (preschool): Vision and hearing tests, dental development, language and speech evaluation
• 7–12 years (school age): Postural disorders, attention problems, growth curve monitoring
• 13–17 years (adolescence): Hormonal evaluation, bone health, eating disorder screening

According to Specialist Dr. Ferit Arğun, “The check-up performed during the transition to school age is especially critical. Vision or hearing problems that go undetected during this period can seriously affect the child’s academic success and social adjustment.”

What Does the Children’s Check-Up Package Cover?

A comprehensive children’s check-up package consists of four main components.

Examinations

• General examination by a pediatrics specialist
• Growth and development evaluation (height, weight, head circumference curves)
• Ophthalmology examination
• Ear, nose, and throat evaluation
• Oral and dental health examination
• Skin evaluation

Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests form the most comprehensive part of the children’s check-up process:

• Complete blood count (hemogram)
• Fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Thyroid hormones (TSH, fT4)
• Iron, iron-binding capacity, ferritin
• Vitamin D3, B12, folic acid
• Calcium, magnesium, zinc
• Urinalysis
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs
• IgE (allergic condition screening)

Radiological Examinations

• Full abdominal ultrasonography
• Wrist X-ray when necessary (bone age assessment)
• Chest X-ray for children in the risk group

Cardiological Examinations

• 12-lead ECG
• Echocardiography if necessary

Age Group	Priority Test Area	Additional Examination
0–2 years	Development, nutrition, hemogram	Hepatitis screening
3–6 years	Vision, hearing, dental	Thyroid, Vitamin D
7–12 years	Growth curve, iron	ECG, abdominal USG
13–17 years	Hormonal panel, bone health	Insulin resistance

What Should Be Done Before the Children’s Check-Up?

Proper preparation is essential for reliable results.

• Fasting period: Fasting is generally not required for children under 12. For children over 12, at least 8 hours of fasting is recommended.
• Water consumption: Plain water is free for all age groups.
• Medication use: Regularly used medications and supplements should be reported to the physician beforehand.
• Vaccination card: It is recommended to bring the vaccination card so that the vaccination status can be evaluated.
• Psychological preparation: The process should be explained to the child in age-appropriate language; pre-information should be given for procedures such as blood draws. A favorite toy or book can be brought along.

Specialist Dr. Ferit Arğun: “Especially in the younger age group, the preparation process is just as important as medical preparation. The child’s confidence in the process makes things easier for both the family and the clinician. Don’t leave surprises; tell your child what will happen beforehand.”

How Long Does a Children’s Check-Up Take?

Although it varies depending on the age group and the scope of the package, a standard children’s check-up is completed in 3 to 4 hours.

For infants and the younger age group, the process is planned more flexibly; rest periods are added in between.

The majority of laboratory results are ready on the same day. Some advanced tests may take 1–3 business days. A physician consultation is separately scheduled for the evaluation of results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times a year should a children’s check-up be done?

Our general recommendation is to have it done regularly once a year. In cases such as chronic illness, developmental delay, or hormonal problems, this frequency can be increased upon physician recommendation.

Is the children’s check-up covered by SGK?

Comprehensive check-up packages are generally outside the scope of SGK coverage. It is recommended to contact the institution you are applying to for up-to-date information.

Which specialist doctors are involved in the process?

A pediatrics specialist manages the process as the coordinating physician. Ophthalmology, ear nose and throat, oral and dental health, and cardiology branches can be included in the package.

What should I do if my child is afraid of blood draws?

Experienced pediatric nurses and distraction techniques are used effectively in this process. Informing the child in advance and providing reassurance is the most important part of the process.

When are check-up results evaluated?

A physician consultation is scheduled after the laboratory results are complete. During this consultation, findings are shared with the family and, if necessary, further testing or specialist referral is arranged.