The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under the National Health Mission provides early screening and intervention services. The age group covered and the four categories of conditions screened ('4 Ds') are:

• A 0 to 6 years; deafness, diabetes, dermatitis, diarrhoea
• B 0 to 5 years; defects at birth, developmental delays, deafness, dental disease
• C 6 to 18 years; dental caries, dietary disorders, disability, drug abuse
• D 0 to 18 years; defects at birth, deficiencies, developmental delays and disabilities, childhood diseases ✓

Explanation

RBSK screens children from birth to 18 years, covering newborns at delivery points and in communities via ASHA mobilisation, preschool children at Anganwadi centres, and school children at government schools. The 4 Ds are defects at birth, deficiencies, developmental delays and disabilities, and childhood diseases such as rheumatic heart disease, reactive airway disease and otitis media. Narrower age ranges miss either the newborn or school-age component, both integral to the programme design.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.