Medically Verified By:
1/9
It is important to screen a newborn baby, as it can assess certain fatal-but-rare and often treatable health conditions at birth. During screening, certain tests are done that include blood, newborn hearing, and heart screening. Scroll down to find out more about them, and why they are crucial.
2/9
According to Dr Amit P Ghawade, consultant pediatrician and neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Mumbai, when the baby is just one or two days old, they will be screened for congenital abnormalities. Newborn screening, the doctor says, helps to look for certain serious, rare and mostly-treatable health conditions at birth. The hospital usually ensures that the baby undergoes screening before being discharged.
3/9
The doctor says newborn screening is crucial, as a baby can be born with a health condition but not show any symptoms during birth. If a health problem is diagnosed early during screening, it can be managed with appropriate treatment. What really matters when it comes to tackling serious health problems in a newborn baby is timely intervention.
4/9
Most newborns are screened via blood tests to look for health conditions, Dr Amit says. The baby’s heel is usually pricked to get a few drops of blood, which is collected on a special paper and sent to a lab for testing. The results are out within a week generally.
5/9
Hormonal problems arise when there is an imbalance of hormones, which can affect the baby’s growth and development. 'Congenital hypothyroidism' is one of the most common hormonal problems that can be detected in screening.
6/9
Hemoglobin is an essential protein found in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body. According to the pediatrician and neonatologist, hemoglobinopathies (genetic condition) can affect the production of hemoglobin and lead to anemia, severe infections, and other complications. Newborn screenings can detect sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other hemoglobinopathies.
7/9
Metabolic disorders are genetic conditions that affect the body’s ability to break down food and convert it into energy, the doctor explains, adding that metabolic disorders that are commonly seen in babies are phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), and galactosemia.
8/9
It helps to know if the baby has hearing loss. Usually, a doctor places tiny earphones in the baby’s ears and uses a computer to check whether the baby is able to respond to sound.
9/9
This is done to find out about any heart condition, or critical congenital heart defects. Pulse oximetry is done to monitor the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood by using a pulse oximeter machine and sensors that are placed on your baby’s skin.
