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Blood Test:
First, a physician, nurse, midwife, or other trained member of the hospital staff will fill out a newborn screening card. One part of this card is the filter paper to collect the babys blood sample. The other part is for important information for the lab performing the screen, such as the babys name, sex, weight, date/time of birth, date/time of heel stick collection, and date/time of first feeding. It will also include the contact information of the parents and the babys primary care provider for the follow-up results. During the blood test, which is sometimes called a heel stick, the babys heel will be pricked to collect a small sample of blood. The health professional will put drops of blood onto the filter paper card to create several dried blood spots. The newborn screening card is then sent to the state laboratory for analysis.
Hearing Screen:
Two different tests can be used to screen for hearing loss in babies. Both tests are quick (5-10 minutes), safe and comfortable with no activity required from your child. In fact, these tests are often performed while a baby is asleep. One or both tests may be used.
1. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test: This test is used to determine if certain parts of the babys ear respond to sound. During the test, a miniature earphone and microphone are placed in the ear and sounds are played. When a baby has normal hearing, an echo is reflected back into the ear canal, which can be measured by the microphone. If no echo is detected, it can indicate hearing loss. 2. Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) Test: This test is used to evaluate the auditory brain stem (the part of the nerve that carries sound from the ear to the brain) and the brains response to sound. During this test, miniature earphones are placed in the ear and sounds are played. Band-Aid-like electrodes are placed along the babys head to detect the brains response to the sounds. If the babys brain does not respond consistently to the sounds, there may be a hearing problem.
sick. Most babies with these conditions who are identified at birth and treated early are able to grow up healthy with normal development.
screen. If newborn screening cannot be completed in the home, parents should bring the infant to a hospital or clinic for the newborn screening blood test within a few days of birth. A hearing screen should also be scheduled with the babys health care provider at no later than one month of age.
Newborn Screening for Preterm, Low Birth Weight, NICU or Sick Newborns
Babies born preterm, sick or with a low birth weight often have certain medical problems that require special treatments. These treatments or procedures can affect the newborn screening results. These infants may require a special process for newborn screening. For example, many preterm, sick or low birth weight infants require more than one blood draw throughout their hospital stay to ensure accurate testing. To find out more about your hospitals protocol, speak with your obstetrician or the babys doctor.
Additional Questions
If you have additional questions regarding the newborn screening process, please speak with your babys health care provider. For specific information regarding newborn screening in your state, visit the Conditions Screened by State page or contact your state newborn screening coordinator.