Prevention lies at the heart of every pediatric practice. Indeed, it is this very aspect of pediatrics that draws so many aspiring medical students to pursue training in this field. The chance to prevent disease or disability in adulthood by investing in careful screening in childhood, although not necessarily rewarding monetarily, reaps long-lasting rewards in self-fulfillment.

Although many screening programs for children have great face validity, most have little convincing evidence to prove their efficacy. Indeed, a large proportion of the well-child care guidelines followed in daily practice lack high-level evidence to support their use, despite the fact that many practitioners feel they are of value. In today’s financially limited medical market, it is imperative to make every encounter value added, and every screening test necessary. The World Health Organization has developed clear guidelines for screening tests that guide today’s screening programs.

This issue of Pediatric Annals examines four areas of childhood screening, demonstrating where the evidence to support such screening is lacking and how better evidence may be found. After reviewing these articles, the participant will be better prepared to select and deploy screening tests in their offi ce as well as being a better advocate for improved screening methods in daily practice.