What are appropriate screening tests for adolescents?

The TABLE summarizes the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) with regard to adolescent screening. We identified no additional evidence-based recommendations for screening tests for adolescents. As shown in the TABLE, rubella susceptibility screening is recommended for all adolescent females (SOR: B). Sexually active adolescent females should routinely be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and cervical cancer. Adolescents at risk of contracting TB, HIV, or syphilis should be screened for those diseases. Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against performing the following tests for adolescents: hearing loss screening, anemia screening, clinical or self breast examination, blood pressure screening, screening for overweight, screening for alcohol misuse, screening for depression, and suicide risk screening. For males, evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against: rubella screening, routine rubella vaccination, and chlamydia or gonorrhea screening for sexually active males. Do not perform the following tests on adolescents because evidence is good that the harms outweigh the benefits: testicular cancer screening using clinical or self-testicular examination, hepatitis B screening, screening for herpes, thyroid cancer screening, screening for scoliosis, and bacteriuria screening in asymptomatic non-pregnant adolescents. Screening for lipid disorders is recommended only for those over age 20 years who have significant risks for coronary artery disease.