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Health Screenings
Scoliosis In 1982 the Maryland State
Legislature passed a law requiring Maryland Public
Schools in cooperation with County Health Departments to
screen all students in certain grades for scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that usually
appears in young teenagers and may become much worse as
the child grows. Serious problems involving heart,
lungs, and spine may develop if the curve worsens and
becomes significant. Early detection and treatment are
essential in preventing these problems. The Howard
County Public School System and the Howard County Health
Department provide scoliosis screening for 6th grade
girls and 8th grade boys. Information is distributed to
parents/guardians prior to screening dates. The
parent/guardian may exclude the student from the
testing. Boys and girls are screened at different ages
to take advantage of differences in growth patterns.
After the screening parents/guardians will receive a
referral letter if their child shows signs of a possible
curvature. A referral does not mean that the child has
scoliosis, only that a physician or other qualified
health care provider should evaluate the child.
Hearing and Vision Hearing and vision screening is
done annually in all Howard County Public Schools by the
Howard County Health Department in grades K, 3, 5, and
8. Limited re-screening is performed. Referrals are
mailed to parents of those children who did not pass the
screening. This referral includes information on the
reason for the referral and asks that the form be
completed and returned to the school’s health room.
Health Department phone numbers include the following.
410-313-7500 -- Columbia Health Department
410-313-2333 -- Ellicott City Health Department
410-880-5888 -- Southeastern Health Department
Lead Screening Maryland State law requires
documentation of Blood Lead Testing for all public
pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade students
in areas designated as at-risk for lead poisoning. The
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Blood
Lead Testing Certificate form is distributed to all
students in the above grades at the beginning of the
school year. The form is to be completed and returned to
the school’s health room.
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