There are many important tests and procedures performed right after birth to ensure a newborn’s health. Some of these procedures are required by law. If the baby is healthy only the Apgar test is performed immediately after birth. All other tests can wait for at least one hour after birth.
Tests and procedures required in most United States hospitals include:
• Apgar evaluation
• Eye care
• Vitamin K shot
• Newborn metabolic screening
• Hearing test
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Complete check-up
The Apgar test is a quick way to figure out if the baby is healthy or needs extra medical care. The test is usually done twice:
• One minute after birth
• Five minutes after birth
The 5 signs of baby’s condition measured are:
• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Activity and muscle tone
• Reflexes
• Skin color
The Apgar scores are a range from 0 to 10. Babies who score 7 or more are considered very healthy, however, a lower score does not always mean there is something wrong. Healthy babies often have low Apgar scores in the first minute after birth. More than 98% of babies reach a score of 7 within 5 minutes of birth. If this does not occur, the baby needs further medical care and will require close monitoring.
Eye Care
The recommendation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all newborns is:
• To receive eye drops or ointment to prevent infections that can occur during delivery.
What can cause eye infections in newborns?
• Sexually transmitted disease that include gonorrhea and Chlamydia
These diseases can cause blindness if left untreated.
What are common eye drops or ointment used to prevent newborn eye infections?
• Silver nitrate
• Erythromycin
• Tetracycline
Due to the fact that these medicines can sting and/or blur the baby’s vision, some parents decide to postpone this treatment for a little while. Other parents question whether or not this treatment is truly necessary.
A woman who has low risk for STDs may not want their newborns to receive eye medicine. It should be noted that there is no evidence to date which suggest that the medicine harms the baby. It is also important to note that pregnant women may test negative for STDs, but get an infection by time of delivery. In addition, many women who have gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia do not know it because they have no symptoms.
Vitamin K Shot
It is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics for all newborns to receive a shot of vitamin K in the upper leg. Newborns are known to have low levels of vitamin K. The vitamin is needed for efficient blood clotting and low levels can cause a serious bleeding problem, although this problem is rare. Studies have shown vitamin K shots prevent this dangerous bleeding in the newborn baby.
Newborn Metabolic Screening
There are at least two disorders that all 50 states require testing for. These are:
• Phenylketonuria
• Congenital hypothyroidism
Many states also test for up 30 different diseases. These diseases are impossible to find without a blood test. A doctor or nurse will prick the baby’s heel to take a very tiny sample of blood for these tests. If the baby has some of these diseases, and the conditions are left untreated, the result can be mental retardation and even death.
Recommendation of the March of Dimes is:
• That all newborns be tested for at least 29 diseases.
Hearing Test
To help cut the risk of serious language and speech problems, many hospitals offer newborn hearing tests. A newborn hearing test can spot hearing problems early.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Why do most hospitals today suggest newborns get a hepatitis B vaccine?
• HBV can cause lifelong infection resulting in serious liver damage and sometimes even death
What is a hepatitis B vaccine?
• It is a series of three different shots.
• The first shot is given soon after birth or before leaving the hospital
• If mother does not have hepatitis B, the first shot can wait for up to two months.
• The second and last shot should be given before 18 months of age.
What is the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation about hepatitis B vaccines?
• All newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine in a series of three different shots (as stated above)
The Complete Check-up of Baby after birth includes:
• Measuring the newborn’s weight, length, and head
• Taking the newborn’s temperature
• Measuring newborn’s breathing and heart rates
• The baby receives a bath and the umbilical cord stump is cleaned
Source: National Institutes of Health Online
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.
By Connie Limon
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