U4 examination
Updated on All content is checked by medical journalists.The U4 examination is the fourth of twelve preventive examinations for infants and children. It takes place between the third and fourth month of life. In addition to an in-depth examination, the child will also be vaccinated. Read everything about the U4 examination, how it works and which vaccinations are recommended.
What is the U4 examination?
The U4 examination is the fourth preventive medical check-up for the baby. The main goal is to control coordination and posture. In addition to the physical examination, the pediatrician informs parents about recommended vaccinations and points out sources of danger for the baby in the household.
What is being done at the U4?
At the beginning, the doctor asks the parents for their assessment of their child's behavior and development, for example whether they drink easily, sleep well and how active they are. Then he carries out various exercises to coordinate the baby, for example, whether it can lift its head on its own in the prone position, whether it is following an object with its eyes or whether it can already bend and stretch arms and legs vigorously.
Often the child is already making “Brabbella noises” such as chuckling or squeaking. As with all preventive examinations, the pediatrician also checks the body's functions by listening to and feeling the organs. In addition, the child is weighed and measured again and the doctor enters all findings in the care booklet.
U4: vaccination and other recommendations
The doctor will also recommend vaccinations to the parents during the U4 examination. According to the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO), the second oral vaccination against rotaviruses takes place in the third month of life. At the age of three and four months, the STIKO should also take the second dose of immunization against the following diseases in accordance with the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission:
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- diphtheria
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (pathogen of epiglottitis, i.e. the inflammation of the larynx) Influenza (HiB)
- Polio (polio)
- Hepatitis B.
The vaccinations are available as a combination preparation (six-fold vaccination) so that the doctor only has to give the baby one injection. This six-fold vaccination is repeated at the age of four months. In addition, in the fourth month of life, the second vaccination against pneumococci and possibly a third dose of the rotavirus vaccination is added.
Education about dangerous situations
Children usually begin to actively examine their surroundings between the ages of three and four months. This harbors certain dangers, which the pediatrician draws parents' attention to with a leaflet. Typical accidents with children at this age are falling from the changing table or high chair or suffocation from swallowing small objects, especially nuts, marbles and coins. The doctor explains to the parents what they need to pay particular attention to in their home so that nothing bad happens.
What is the significance of the U4 examination?
The U4 examination primarily checks the infant's mobility and thus provides an impression of the motor development. However, if the child does not quite manage one of the exercises, this is not always an indication of a developmental disorder. Much can be mastered through practice.
If, for example, the child has difficulty holding their head independently in the prone position, the parents should simply turn them over onto their tummy more often under supervision. So it can practice head posture. Parents should tell the pediatrician about their concerns about non-age-appropriate development during the U4 examination. He can provide assistance if necessary.
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