Exams and tests for children (ages 6 to 17)

Esteban measures numerous indicators—many of which have yet to be thoroughly studied—in order to establish a more comprehensive approach to health at the national level.

The health screening is conducted exclusively at home and includes a limited number of tests; fasting is required only for adolescents aged 12 to 17. It includes:

  • height and weight measurements,

  • an interview to gather information about the primary care physician (including contact information), general health status, and respiratory symptoms,

  • samples (blood, hair, and urine) suitable for children, enabling more than a hundred biological and chemical tests to be performed: complete blood count, ferritin and transferrin (in cases of low hemoglobin), plasma folates (for adolescent girls aged 15 to 17), and environmental biomarkers (metals, cotinine, pesticides, perfluorinated and polybrominated compounds, phthalates, bisphenol A, etc.).

Biological tests

A portion of the biological samples is stored to create a biobank (a collection of biological samples) for conducting long-term studies.

The biological analyses are supplemented by a questionnaire regarding your child’s environment (household products, UV exposure, personal care products, pesticides), diet, and medical history.

The test results are communicated to you personally and, upon your request, forwarded to the doctor caring for your child.

Some analyses are conducted only on a subset of participants (sub-sample) and cannot be automatically shared with you personally. However, these results are available upon express written request.

Medical Care

If you agree, this examination will be supplemented by a collection of information on the treatments, hospitalizations, care, and medications your child has received over the past three years.

Physical activity

Your child’s physical activity is assessed using a simple questionnaire, completed at home with the help of an interviewer.

Diet

The dietary survey is conducted (for adolescents aged 11 to 17) either by phone with a dietitian (a call lasting about 15 minutes) or online, where your child enters the information themselves (with your help if needed). This survey is used to describe the foods they consumed (type, composition, and quantity) over 3 different days within a 3-week period.