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Right after birth, the baby needs to perform a series of tests in order to identify the presence of changes that indicate the presence of genetic or metabolic diseases, such as phenylketonuria, sickle cell anemia and congenital hypothyroidism, for example. In addition, these tests can help to identify vision and hearing problems and the presence of a stuck tongue, for example.
The mandatory tests for the newborn are the foot test, the blood typing, the ear, eye, little heart and tongue test and are indicated in the first week of life, preferably still in the maternity ward, as if it is If any changes are identified, treatment can be started immediately afterwards, promoting normal development and the baby's quality of life.
1. Foot test
The heel prick test is a mandatory test, indicated between the 3rd and 5th day of the baby's life. The test is done from drops of blood taken from the baby's heel and serves to identify genetic and metabolic diseases, such as phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell anemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cystic fibrosis and biotinidase deficiency.
There is also the enlarged heel test, which is indicated when the mother has had an alteration or infection during pregnancy, and it is important that the baby be tested for other diseases. This exam is not part of the mandatory free exams and must be performed in private clinics.
Learn more about the heel prick test.
2. Ear test
The ear test, also called neonatal hearing screening, is a mandatory exam and offered free of charge by the SUS, which aims to identify hearing disorders in the baby.
This test is done in the maternity ward, preferably between 24 and 48 hours of the baby's life, and does not cause pain or discomfort to the baby, being often performed during sleep. Learn more about the ear test.
3. Eye test
The eye test, also known as the red reflex test, is usually offered free of charge by the maternity ward or health centers and is done to detect vision problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma or strabismus. This test is usually performed in the maternity ward by the pediatrician. Understand how the eye test is done.
4. Blood typing
Blood typing is an important test to identify the baby's blood type, which can be A, B, AB or O, positive or negative. The test is performed with cord blood as soon as the baby is born.
In this exam, it is possible to track the risk of blood incompatibility, that is, when the mother has a negative HR and the baby is born with a positive HR, or even when the mother has blood type O and the baby, type A or B. Among the problems of blood incompatibility, we can highlight the possible picture of neonatal jaundice.
5. Little heart test
The little heart test is mandatory and free, done at the maternity hospital between 24 and 48 hours after birth. The test consists of measuring the oxygenation of blood and the heartbeat of the newborn with the aid of an oximeter, which is a kind of bracelet, placed on the baby's wrist and foot.
If any changes are detected, the baby is referred for an echocardiogram, which is an exam that detects defects in the baby's heart.
6. Tongue test
The tongue test is a mandatory test performed by a speech therapist to diagnose problems with the tongue brake of newborns, such as ankyloglossia, popularly known as the tongue tongue. This condition can impair breastfeeding or compromise the act of swallowing, chewing and speaking, so if detected soon it is already possible to indicate the most appropriate treatment. See more about the tongue test.
7. Hip test
The hip test is a clinical examination, in which the pediatrician examines the baby's legs. It is usually performed in the maternity ward and at the first consultation with the pediatrician.
The purpose of the test is to identify changes in the development of the hip that can later result in pain, shortening of the limb or osteoarthritis.