Newborn Tests & Procedures

Newborn PKU

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder. It is routinely tested for during the first few days of life. In many states the test is required, and is frequently done in conjunction with several other tests, such as: Galactosemia, Thalasemia, etc.

This test involves sticking the foot of the child for blood. It is only accurate when your baby has been receiving a diet containing phenylalanine, in both human milk and artificial formulas, for a period of 24 hours. For this reason a breastfed baby should not be tested until at least seven days after birth, giving a chance for breast milk to come in and the baby to nurse. If your hospital or doctor is trying to encourage a breastfeeding mom to take this test before then, the results will not be valid. Many places do the test before you leave the hospital and ask you to return in one week to have the test repeated. This is usually for their convenience to make sure you've at least had one test for their records, even though it is not valid. Talk to your pediatrician about having this done only once.

Hepatitis Vaccine

This vaccine is now mandatory in 36 states. You have two choices for when to start this vaccine, at birth or at the two month check up. If you choose to have this vaccine, I encourage you to assess your own risk of hepatitis before deciding when to have this vaccine done.

Talk to your practitioner about the use and safety of this and any vaccine.

APGAR

APGARS are your baby's first "test." In most places it is done without ever being noticed by the parents because it's simply an evaluation of the way your baby looks and sounds.

A score is given for each sign at one minute and five minutes after the birth. If there are problems with the baby an additional score is given at 10 minutes. A score of 7-10 is considered normal, while 4-7 might require some resuscitative measures, and a baby with apgars of 3 and below requires immediate resuscitation.

Despite what parents will tell you this doesn't correspond to your child's SAT scores later in life. In fact, in some circles this test is criticized for not being very useful. For example, a baby obviously in distress will not be left alone until the one-minute APGAR says that they need help. All in all this is a harmless test that many parents look forward to hearing their baby's score.

Others

There are many things that may be done either on a routine or not so routine basis, including a hearing test, blood sugar testing, ultrasound, etc.

Make sure that you have all of the information necessary to make a well-informed decision about your baby's care. Just as you did during pregnancy.

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