7 exams that newborns should take

Soon after birth, the baby needs to undergo a series of tests with the aim of identifying the presence of changes that indicate the presence of genetic or metabolic diseases, such as phenylketonuria, sickle cell anemia and congenital hypothyroidism, for example. Furthermore, these exams can help identify vision and hearing problems and the presence of a tongue tie, for example.

The mandatory tests for newborns are the heel prick test, blood typing, the ear test, the eye test, the heart test and the tongue test and are indicated in the first week of life, preferably still in the maternity ward, as if it is If any change is identified, treatment can be started immediately, promoting the baby’s normal development and quality of life.

1. Heel prick test

The heel prick test is a mandatory exam, indicated between the 3rd and 5th day of the baby’s life. The test is carried out using drops of blood taken from the baby’s heel and is used 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 expanded heel prick test, which is indicated when the mother has had any changes or infections during pregnancy, and it is important that the baby is tested for other diseases. This exam is not part of the mandatory free exams and must be carried out in private clinics.

Find out more about the heel prick test.

2. Little ear test

The ear test, also called neonatal hearing screening, is a mandatory exam offered free of charge by the SUS that aims to identify hearing changes in the baby.

This exam is carried out in the maternity ward, preferably between 24 and 48 hours of the baby’s life, and does not cause pain or discomfort in the baby, and is often carried out during sleep. Find out more about the ear test.

3. Eye test

The eye test, also known as the red reflex test, is normally offered free of charge by maternity hospitals or health centers and is carried out to detect vision problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma or strabismus. This test is usually carried out in the maternity ward by the pediatrician. Understand how the eye test is performed.

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 using umbilical 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 negative RH and the baby is born with positive RH, or even when the mother has blood type O and the baby has type A or B. Among the problems of blood incompatibility, we can highlight the possible condition of neonatal jaundice.

5. Little heart test

The little heart test is mandatory and free, carried out in the maternity ward between 24 and 48 hours after birth. The exam consists of measuring the newborn’s blood oxygenation and heart rate with the help of an oximeter, which is a type 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 exam carried out by a speech therapist to diagnose problems with the tongue brake in newborns, such as ankyloglossia, popularly known as tongue tie. This condition can harm breastfeeding or compromise the act of swallowing, chewing and speaking, so if detected soon it is 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 hip development that may later result in pain, shortening of the limb or osteoarthritis.