This page describes the preventive medical checkups for children (U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8 and U9). They are an important yardstick for assessing the stage of a child’s development. If you are looking for the preventive medical checkups for newborns (U1 and U2) please go to our page: Preventive medical checkups for newborns
Synonyms
U-examination, examination at the pediatrician, U1- U9, youth health counseling, development guidelines, pre-school examination, one-year examination, four-year examination
Percentile Development Guidelines
In pediatrics, there are so-called percentile curves or somatograms for the male and female sex, which enable the doctor to compare the child’s development and growth status with a reference group of children of the same age. This comparison is used to assess the child’s developmental status by relating it to a reference group: The percentile curve is available for weight and height and for head circumference. Curves (= percentile curves) in diagrams show how tall and heavy children of the same age are on average (so-called 50th percentile).
If the examined child lies on this curve with his or her height and weight in the diagram, 50% of the peers are heavier and taller and 50% of the peers are smaller and lighter than the child itself. The somatogram also shows the third and 97th percentiles: The statement “The child’s body measurements are on the third percentile. “means that 3% of the peers are smaller and lighter than the baby under examination.
The baby is therefore relatively small and light. If the baby fulfills the criteria of the 97th percentile, only 3% of the same-aged children of the same age and sex are taller and heavier than the baby itself, so the baby is taller and heavier than the average. The curves are a guide for observing the baby’s developmental progression.
They are to be viewed as a whole, i.e. if the baby is clearly and continuously above or below the 50th percentile, intervention is necessary. If there are individual “outliers” in the curve or in the child’s development, this is not a cause for concern. The percentile curves can be found on the last pages of the yellow child care booklet.