Newborn Baby Health Screening

Health Screening for Babies

Screening tests are recommended although most babies are healthy and do not any abnormal conditions. However, for babies who have health problems, screening tests have numerous benefits because it facilitates early treatment to improve their health, prevent a severe disability or even death. Nevertheless, you can decline to have screening tests if you wish. If you decide to have these tests, your new born baby will be offered these tests in their first 6-8 weeks. These tests include:

• New born physical examination
• New born hearing screening test
• New born blood spot or heel prick test

What’s Involved In New Born Screening?

1. New born physical examination

Soon after birth, a thorough physical examination is offered to every child to check their heart, hips, eyes and testicles in boys. This physical test is mainly used to identify babies who have conditions that may need further testing or treatment. New born physical examination test is carried out within 72 hours of birth and then after 6-8 weeks because some conditions may need time to develop.

2. New born hearing screening test

This screening test is carried out to determine whether your child has any hearing problems. The test is usually carried out after your child is born and then after a few weeks to guarantee that your baby has no hearing problems. If you give birth in a hospital, this test may be carried out before you are discharged but if you delivered at home, a health visitor or any qualified health professional can still perform the test.

3. New born blood spot test

This test involves taking a blood sample by pricking the heel of your baby to screen the blood for 9 rare but serious health conditions. The test is carried out when your baby is about 5 days old. A mid wife collects blood sample by pricking the heel of your baby and squeezing a few drops of blood on to a blood spot card for testing. Since it involves pricking, your baby may cry but the process is simple and fast.