Table 2 Screening of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors in children and adolescents recommended by the the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) [13], by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) [30], and by the U.K. National Screening committee [31]

Elevated blood pressure

Annual blood pressure measurement in all children from age 3 year; targeted measurement in infants with renal/urologic/cardiac diagnosis or history of neonatal intensive care before the age of 3 year

Evidence insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for primary hypertension in asymptomatic children and adolescents to prevent subsequent cardiovascular disease in childhood or adulthood.

Systematic population screening not recommended

Dyslipidemia/abnormal blood lipids

Universal lipid screening at age 9–11 year; measurement of non-fasting or fasting lipid profile; targeted screening according to family history or other high risk condition before the age of 9–11 year

Evidence insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for lipid disorders in infants, children, adolescents, or young adults (up to age 20).

Systematic population screening not recommended

Diabetes

Targeted screening at age 9–11 year following the American Diabetes Association guidelines, i.e., in overweight children and with two or more additional risk factors for diabetes [ADA 2014]

No specific recommendation for children or adolescents

No specific recommendation for children or adolescents

Smoking

Assessment of tobacco use beginning at 9–11 year

Recommendation that primary care clinicians provide interventions, including education or brief counseling, to prevent initiation of tobacco use among school-aged children and adolescents. No recommendation to screen for tobacco use.

No specific recommendation for children or adolescents