17 Nov Talk to the doctor about newborn screening tests

Before your baby is born, talk to your doctor or midwife about newborn screening tests. These include tests to detect certain diseases and conditions in newborns.

Early detection tests allow doctors to detect diseases and medical conditions early before the baby shows symptoms. Early treatment is important for the baby to stay healthy and develop normally.

Most of these tests are done before the baby leaves the hospital. They do not cause him to harm or represent a risk to him. Check out these frequently asked questions about newborn screening tests.

Blood test

What Tests Will My Baby Need?

In the United States, all states require newborn babies to be tested. However, the number and type of tests may be different in each state. Depending on your family’s medical history, you may want to ask your doctor to do more tests.

Most tests require a few drops of blood taken from the baby’s heel. Doctors can use the same blood sample to investigate many different diseases, including:

• Hypothyroidism: The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) can cause problems with growth and development, but it can be treated if found early.
• Phenylketonuria: People who have phenylketonuria (PKU) are unable to process certain foods. To replace the food that they cannot consume, they must take a special formula. If not treated early, PKU can cause intellectual disability, which can limit a person’s ability to learn and use skills needed for daily living.
• Sickle cell anemia: This is a blood disorder that can cause severe pain, infections, strokes, and other health problems. If caught early, sickle cell anemia can be treated.

Other tests

Heart Defects

Screening for heart defects can help find some problems before the baby goes home related to the way the heart develops. Finding and treating these defects early can help prevent serious problems or death.

Doctors do this test by placing a small sensor on the baby’s hand or foot. This test is painless and takes a few minutes.

Hearing

A hearing test checks with a very small sensor or earphone how well the baby responds to sounds. If your baby has hearing loss, finding it early can help prevent problems with speech, language, and social development.

If your hospital doesn’t test for hearing loss, ask the doctor to check the baby’s ears in the first month of life.

Some hearing problems start later, so have your child tested if you notice any problems. Learn more about the signs of hearing loss in babies and children.

If your child has hearing loss, it’s important that they get help from the start. It helps children with hearing loss develop their communication and social skills. Some children may wear devices that allow them to hear (for example, hearing aids), receive medicine, or have surgery.

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