New preventive check-ups U10 and U11 planned for children aged nine to ten

Content of the new preventive check-up

The Federal Ministry of Health is driving forward the introduction of the additional preventive measure. The goal is to offer parents and children a fixed medical contact at an age in which physical and psychological changes frequently occur.

The background to this expansion is a gap in care that has been observed over many years. Between the U9, which takes place around the start of school, and the J1, which only begins in puberty, lies a period of several years during which children in Germany are less frequently examined systematically. Supporters see a risk in this, because developmental problems, visual impairments, overweight, or psychological stress could be detected too late during this phase.

Gap between U9 and J1

The U10 is intended to address, among other things, school difficulties, motor abnormalities, and questions regarding media use at an early stage. The medical examination gives children, parents, and schools the opportunity to discuss stresses together and, if necessary, arrange further assistance.

A further focus lies on prevention: doctors should advise families, for example, on dealing with screen time, on nutrition and exercise, and on protection against addictive substances. The vaccination status is also checked so that outstanding booster vaccinations can be carried out in good time.

The J1, which is intended for adolescents from the age of twelve, remains an unchanged part of the preventive program. It continues to focus on puberty and addresses topics such as sexuality, contraception, addiction, and mental health. With the new U10, the program is now denser both at the end of primary school and at the beginning of secondary school.

Role of the federal states

Federal states such as Saxony, Bavaria, and Thuringia have repeatedly spoken out in recent years in favor of additional preventive offerings in this age group. The nationwide introduction of U10 and U11 follows these initiatives and is being prepared by the Federal Ministry of Health together with health insurers and medical associations.

Parents can find out about the exact start date and billing from their health insurance as well as from pediatric practices. The Techniker Krankenkasse already offers a description of the content on its website so that families know which topics will be discussed during the new preventive check-up.

Critics see additional preventive examinations primarily as bureaucratic effort. Supporters, on the other hand, point to positive experiences from model regions in which pediatrician Monika Lelgemnn and other specialists have documented the need.

Significance for families

Overall, the U10 is to form a fixed part of statutory child preventive care and help to identify health risks at an age in which children are becoming increasingly independent but still rely on regular medical support.

With the planned expansion of the preventive program, the federal government is responding to indications from pediatric and adolescent medicine. The additional examination is intended to ensure that health abnormalities are detected at an early stage even during primary school age, before they become entrenched. This expands the series of U-examinations, which ranges from U1 to U9, with an important building block.