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SCREENING TESTS FOR THE BABY - Coggle Diagram
SCREENING TESTS FOR THE BABY
NEWBORN PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
All parents are offered a thorough physical examination for their baby within 72 hours of giving birth
Screening tests to find out if your baby has any problems with their eyes, heart, hips and in boys, testicles.
Some parts of the examination may be a bit uncomfortable for your baby, but it will not cause them any pain
The aim is to spot any problems early so treatment can be started as soon as possible - usually nothing of concern is found.
If any possible problems are found, they may refer your baby for more tests
Another physical examination will take place at 6-8 week, as some of the conditions it screens for can take a while to develop
The second examination is usually done at the GP's surgery
The examination
Look into baby's eyes with a special torch to check how their eyes look and move
Look for cataracts - clouding of the transparent lens inside the eye
Cannot tell you how well the baby can see
Listen to baby's heart to check their heart sounds
Look for heart murmurs - the heartbeat has an extra or unusual sound caused by a disturbed blood flow through the heart.
Examine their hips to check the joints
Some newborns have hip joints that are not formed properly - developmental dysplasia of the hip.
If left untreated it can cause a limp or joint problems.
Examine baby boys to see if their testicles have descended into the scrotum
Checked to make sure their testicles are in the right place
During pregnancy, the testicles form inside the baby's body - may not drop down into the scrotum until a few months after birth.
In about 1/100 baby boys, the testicles only descend partially or not at all
This needs to be treated to prevent possible problems later in life, such as reduced fertility.
NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING
Helps identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible
When is it done?
If you give birth in hospital, you may be offered a newborn hearing test for your baby before you're discharged.
Otherwise it will be done by a health professional, healthcare assistant or health visitor within the first few weeks.
Ideally, the test is done in the first 4-5 weeks, but it can be done at up to 3 months of age.
The screening
A small soft-tipped earpiece is placed in your baby's ear and gentle clicking sounds are played.
It's not always possible to get clear responses from the first test.
Happens with lots of babies, and doesn't always mean your baby has a permanent hearing loss.
It could mean:
Your baby was unsettled when the test was done
There was background noise
Your baby has fluid or a temporary blockage in their ear
NEWBORN BLOOD SPOT SCREENING
Every baby is offered newborn blood spot screening (heel prick test), ideally when they're 5 days old
Take a blood sample to find out if your baby has 1 of 9 rare but serious health conditions
Early treatment can improve their health and prevent severe disability or even death.
The screening
At 5 days old, a health professional will prick their heel and collect 4 drops of blood on a special card.
You can ease any distress for your baby by cuddling and feeding them - make sure they're warm and comfortable
Conditions it screens for
Sickle cell disease - affects haemoglobin
Cystic fibrosis - inherited condition that affects the digestion and lungs
Congenital hypothyroidism - when babies don't have enough of the hormone thyroxine
Inherited metabolic diseases - a disease that affects your metabolism