Introduction – Preschool health screenings (BSEM), conducted by maternal and child health services (PMI), are a source of information on children’s health needs. Objective – To describe the health needs of 3- to 4-year-old children in the Hauts-de-France region and to estimate the potential impact on the healthcare system of the referrals resulting from these screenings.Methods – A regional descriptive study was conducted using BSEM databases from the five departments of the Hauts-de-France region for the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 school years. To account for their heterogeneity, the rate of children referred to a healthcare professional was analyzed. The estimated theoretical demand on the healthcare system was calculated by dividing the number of referred children by the departmental workforce of healthcare professionals.Results – Among the children seen in BSEMs, suspected language disorders (15.4%) and vision problems (14.0%) were the main reasons for referral. The proportion of children with at least one referral reached 36.2% in the Nord department. With an average of 21,744 referrals per year in the region, the ratios of children referred by a healthcare professional suggest significant pressure on healthcare services, particularly in Pas-de-Calais and Aisne.Conclusion – BSEMs are an essential source of information on the health status of young children and their associated care needs. The results highlight the need for national harmonization of practices and data collection to enhance their epidemiological utility and their role in supporting public health decision-making.