Why heel prick test for babies

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Manage Cookies. Email us your feedback. Content is regularly updated so please refer to www. Skip to main content. Close main menu. KidsHealth NZ. Open main menu Close main menu. Search form. Hidden Submit Search. National Screening Unit - Heel prick information for parents 6 minute video clip - heel prick information for parents. National Screening Unit video. Key points to remember about the heel prick test for newborn babies the heel prick test is available to all New Zealand babies the test involves collecting a sample of blood from your baby's heel 48 hours after their birth the test is part of the Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme which detects rare but life-threatening metabolic disorders early treatment of conditions can prevent potentially serious complications which can cause permanent damage or even death Why does my newborn baby need a heel prick test?

Check the Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme website for detailed information, including: about the Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme how the process works taking the blood sample your baby's screening test results about the test personal stories frequently asked questions What are the conditions newborn babies are screened for?

The current conditions screened for are: amino acid disorders for example PKU and MSUD fatty acid oxidation disorders for example MCAD congenital hypothyroidism CH cystic fibrosis CF congenital adrenal hyperplasia CAH galactosaemia biotinidase deficiency severe combined immune deficiency SCID If your baby has one of these disorders, you will receive information about the disorder and how to treat it from a paediatrician. What if my baby is diagnosed with a metabolic disorder?

Where can I go for more information about metabolic disorders? There are a number of other techniques you can use to reduce the pain your baby might experience. The filter paper is allowed to dry and is then sent to the newborn screening laboratory where several different tests will be performed. All of the disorders listed in this article are rare, and in most babies tested the results are normal. Parents are only contacted if there are concerns with the test results. A few babies will need to have a second blood test.

This is usually because the first test did not give a clear result. If any of the tests return a positive result and your baby is thought to have one of these conditions, you will be told as soon as possible. Your baby may need further tests to confirm the results and you may be given an appointment with a specialist so that appropriate treatment can begin.

The National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council requires newborn screening samples to be stored. After the dried blood spot has been tested, it will be stored in a secure locked area until the child is 18 years of age.

In some states you can request the card is returned to you after 2 years. The stored sample is retained to allow for quality control, and may be used for ethics committee approved research after identifying information has been removed.

The sample may also be used for further testing at the request of the parent or guardian, to provide new medical information for the benefit of the family. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Newborn screening tests can detect rare but serious genetic or metabolic disorders in newborn babies.

Read more on myDr website. The newborn hearing screening test allows those babies who have hearing loss to be identified early. Health Checks in Childhood: Children should visit a health professional at birth, weeks, weeks, months, 18 months, years and years. During these visits, their immunisation status and developmental status will be checked. Your baby will arrive very soon — if it hasn't already. Babies are rarely born on their due date and many go past 40 weeks. Regardless of what conditions your state screens for, hospitals offer the newborn screening panel to help all babies get the best start possible.

Find out what conditions the test can detect. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Trending Topics.