Medical professionals will commence assessing reproductive health in children starting from age six.
In Russia, there are planned modifications to the approach for assessing reproductive health in children, according to Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko. The minister revealed that the initial examination of a child will occur at the age of six, and annual assessments will commence at the age of thirteen.
Other changes outlined in the Ministry of Health's decree include:
- An ophthalmologist's examination for infants at one month and one year, with obligatory ophthalmoscopy with dilated pupils;
- A child's examination by an otolaryngologist at one and six years old, with investigation of evoked auditory emissions (a method used to detect hearing impairments);
- For children belonging to high-risk groups at the ages of six and ten, blood tests to examine cholesterol levels and standard deviation of body mass index will be performed;
- Additional screening (parental testing) for identifying high-risk factors for the development of psychiatric issues in children at the age of 1.5 years, with examination of children falling into the high-risk group.
The Ministry of Health has been developing this document since 2023, but did not approve the initial draft. In February 2024, the project was reintroduced for further development, initially specifying that pediatric examinations by gynecologists and urologists may commence at the age of 13 (currently at 14).
In light of the Ministry of Health's decree, regular health assessments that incorporate science and medical-conditions, such as ophthalmology and otolaryngology examinations, will be implemented. Additionally, health-and-wellness related screenings for cholesterol levels, body mass index, and potential psychiatric issues will be conducted for high-risk children, as part of the revised reproductive health plan in Russia.
