Why is newborn screening necessary after birth?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Mai Huong - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. The doctor has 25 years of experience in examination and treatment in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, lower line surgery, laparoscopic surgery.
Every baby born must ensure healthy development both physically and mentally. Therefore, right from birth, newborn babies need to be screened to help detect diseases early and find timely treatment to reduce mortality and help children have a good start. nice head.

1. Why is newborn screening necessary after birth?

All babies need to be screened for newborns after birth. Most babies are born healthy, but some may have undetectable health problems that require the intervention of tests. Screening helps in early detection and prompt treatment of physical and mental disorders, thereby preventing serious illness or death for children.

2. How is newborn screening performed?

Within 48 hours of birth, your doctor will take some blood from your baby's heel, then send the blood sample to a newborn screening lab. Screening tests are also done by measuring the child's hearing. In addition, the doctors will do a pulse oximetry test (with painless skin sensors) to measure the oxygen levels in your baby's blood. If the results show low blood oxygen levels, it could be a sign of heart disease.

3. Common newborn screenings today

Currently, there are common types of newborn screening including:
G6PD deficiency: G6PD enzyme is produced by red blood cells to help protect red blood cells from oxidant attack, if G6PD enzyme deficiency, red blood cells will destroyed and causes hemolytic anemia. For infants with severe jaundice, cerebral palsy, mental and motor retardation due to G6PD deficiency. Congenital hypothyroidism: A condition in which a newborn's thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to meet the baby's growth. This pathology has a direct impact on the growth and development both physically and mentally of young children. However, if detected and treated promptly in the first weeks after birth, the baby can still develop healthy and normal.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: It is an inherited condition and occurs due to a disorder in the production of hormones by the adrenal glands in children. The disease causes disorders in the sexual and genital development of infants. Therefore, it is extremely important to take blood and screen for diseases within 24-72 hours after birth, to help timely treatment to prevent deviations in sex development in children. Thalassemia is the most common genetic disease in the world, it causes many dangerous complications such as infection, iron overload, cirrhosis of the liver.
Congenital hearing loss: Occurs due to damage to the hearing organs while in the womb or during childbirth. Hearing not only plays an important role in the ability to listen and read, but also is the basis for cognitive development, communication skills and learning in children. Screening helps in early detection and timely treatment of congenital hearing loss.

4. Why do some babies need to be retested?

Some babies may need another blood test for the following reasons:
Leaving the hospital 24 hours before the baby was born Not enough blood needed for the screening test Results of the test not clear at first The results of the first test indicate a health problem.

To ensure a healthy fetus throughout pregnancy and until birth, a full newborn screening test helps to assess the health of the baby and the parents feel secure during the care process. baby care. The maternity care package at Vinmec International General Hospital provides pregnant women with the process of examining and monitoring the health of both mother and fetus before - during - after birth, including full benefits of visiting examine and check the health of the mother during pregnancy and the baby immediately after birth will be given vitamin K injections and perform newborn screening tests to assess the baby's health status. Along with that, 1 month after birth, mother and baby will be re-examined with Obstetricians and Pediatricians.

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Articles refer to the source Acog.org