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The U7 examination is one of the important preventive examinations. When exactly is the U7 examination done? Why is the U7 so important? What is actually done and tested? Can a child fail the tests? Are vaccinations given? And what is the U7a?
Here you will find answers to all your questions.
When Does The U7 Examination Take Place?
The U7 examination takes place when your child is almost 2 years old and should be done in any case, because the last U examination was almost a year ago. Your child has developed a lot in the past year and the pediatrician will again check whether the developments are age-appropriate.
In addition, you as a mother can ask the pediatrician, if you have any questions.
What Is Examined During The U7 Examination?
Before the pediatrician performs the actual U7 examination, your child’s body measurements are taken: Height, weight and head circumference are documented. In addition, the pediatrician will take a so-called medical history with you, during which he or she will ask you about general topics.
Important topics are eating behavior and nutrition, speech development, caries prophylaxis and the care situation. The pediatrician will also ask you about bowel movements, serious illnesses and frequent infections.
- Body: skin condition, visible injuries, undescended testicles, posture, passive mobility of the large joints, reflexes.
- Jaws, nose: tooth and mucous membrane abnormalities, salivation, voice tone.
- Organs: lung and heart function, bowel sounds, liver, spleen.
- Gross motor skills: Safe, free walking over a longer period of time, walking up and down stairs at a child’s pace.
- Fine motor skills: unwrapping small, wrapped objects.
- Language: one-word sentences, vocabulary includes at least 10 words (not including mom, dad), can express rejection through gestures or verbally, can show 3 named body parts.
- Perception/ cognition: stack 3 cubes, point to familiar objects in picture books.
- Social/emotional competence: can stay/play alone in a room for about 15 minutes when parents are not in the room but nearby, shows interest in other children.
- Interaction/ communication: e.g., tries to pull parents in somewhere.
Pediatrician will also examine eyes and ears to check for vision or hearing limitations. Understanding of simple sentences and prompts will also be checked. Sleep patterns are often addressed as well.
Other Skills That Should Be Proficient At The Time Of The U7 Examination Include
Just before the 2nd birthday, a child can usually climb up and down furniture, such as sofas, without assistance. Before the second birthday, a child can usually walk backward, hop on the spot, and tiptoe. Verbal skills before a child’s second birthday include asking for help and expressing feelings with words.
Around a child’s second birthday, he often begins to speak of himself as “I” and to recognize himself in photographs. It begins to be able to scribble on paper and sort things. By the second birthday, a child can usually eat alone with a spoon. By the child’s 2nd birthday at the latest, thedefiant phase begins.
What Consultations Take Place At The U7 Examination?
The pediatrician will give you advice about:
- Dental care and oral hygiene.
- Visits to the dentist, possibly with a referral.
- Nutrition and exercise.
- Vaccination status and vaccinations.
- Accident prevention.
You can find out how to make your first visit to the dentist a breeze here.
What Do You Need To Bring To The U7 Examination?
It is very important to bring the U-Heft with you. In it, the pediatrician documents the current stage of development. In the vaccination card, the pediatrician checks whether the vaccination status is complete and when the next vaccinations need to be made.
If both booklets are filled out completely, other doctors can quickly get an overview, e.g. in case of an accident, and treat your child accordingly. If you change pediatricians, it is also helpful to have a completely filled out U-book, so that the new pediatrician does not have to examine your child completely.
Why Is The U7 Examination So Important?
Every preventive examination is equally important. In the first years of life, many developments take place very quickly. A pediatrician is the best person to assess whether your child has developed appropriately for his or her age and whether any illnesses are present.
The sooner developmental delays or diseases are detected, the better they can be treated if necessary.
Are Vaccinations Given At The U7 Examination?
Whether vaccinations are given at the U7 examination depends on when the examination takes place and whether your child has been ill in the past weeks. As a rule, the U7 and the second vaccination against mumps, measles and rubella take place together.
As a follow-up vaccination, you can be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, HiB, polio, hepatitis B and pneumococcus. You can also ask if you will be vaccinated when you make the appointment for the U7.
What Does The U7 Examination For Premature Babies Look Like?
The pediatrician examines premature babies just like children who are 2 years old. The actual and calculated birthday of the child is taken into account.
What Happens If All The Tests Are Not Passed?
U exams are not about passing the tests. Each child develops at his or her own pace. There must be abnormalities in several areas for there to possibly be a need for treatment.
Also, the tolerance levels for most developmental milestones are very high. Around the second birthday, a child has mastered a great many developmental steps. It is not just a matter of whether everything is being mastered, but also whether new things are being learned on a regular basis.
For most children, such an examination is very exciting. If your child fails a test, but you know your child can do it in a different, calmer environment, talk to the pediatrician about it.
What Happens If You Miss The U7 Exam?
The U7 exam has a window of 4 months. It takes place between the 21st and 24th month of life. Often around the child’s second birthday. The tolerance limit is between the 20th and 27th months of life.
If you have it done after the 24th month of life, you will have to pay for it yourself as an IGeL service, because the health insurance will no longer cover the costs. Tip: Make an appointment for the U7 examination when you take your child for the U6 examination!
What Is The U7a Examination?
The U7a is another U examination and takes place when your child is almost 3 years old. It is again almost a year since the last U examination, which is why this U examination is also important.
During the U7a, a lot of attention is paid to the physical and mental development of your child. The U7a takes place between the 34th and 36th months of life and has a tolerance limit from the 33rd to 38th month of life.
As with every U examination, you should bring the U booklet and the vaccination card with you so that everything can be documented. Your body measurements will be taken again and the pediatrician will examine the same physical things that he examined at U7.
With regard to mental development, he will examine whether your child can speak three-word sentences and whether he speaks about himself in the first person. Stuttering will also be addressed. Your child should be able to listen and play with concentration for a certain period of time.
Your child should also play role-playing games with other children. During the anamnesis, the same things are asked as during the U7 examination. The pediatrician will advise you on accident prevention, language, nutrition and exercise, media consumption, dental check-ups and further vaccinations.
No vaccinations are scheduled at U7a. However, the pediatrician will check whether the vaccination status is complete and whether follow-up vaccinations should be given.