What Tests Do They Do on Newborn Babies?

A newborn goes through a battery of tests before leaving the hospital.

Testing of newborns is critical to diagnosing any health issues that need treatment as early as possible. Tests provide a general health rating for a newborn, helping nurses determine how long the newborn should remain in the hospital after birth. The tests can also indicate whether further testing should be done to determine more information about a newborn's overall health.

Apgar

Minutes after being born every newborn undergoes the Apgar test. Newborns are assessed and given a score between zero and two in each of five areas: appearance, pulse, responsiveness, muscle activity and breathing. The scores in each individual area are added together for the total Apgar score. A low rating in one or more areas prompts further testing and observation in that specific area.

Hearing Tests

Testing a newborn's hearing alerts medical providers to potential problems that can be treated early. Otoacoustic emission testing requires placing a tiny microphone and earphone in the newborn's ear. Sounds are played through the earphone. Sounds the baby can hear create an echo inside the baby's ear canal that are measured by the microphone. Failure by the microphone to register a reading for any of the sounds indicates hearing loss. The audio brainstem response test uses electrodes placed on the newborn's head. Sounds will be played. If the baby hears the sound, the electrodes will register activity in the brain's hearing nerve. Failure to register hearing nerve activity indicates the baby has experienced hearing loss.

Blood Tests

Blood from the newborn is tested for several metabolic and genetic disorders, most of which are rare, within two days of the baby being born. According to American Pregnancy there are over 30 different disorders that can be tested. Each state has its own standards and tests for different conditions. The National Newborn and Genetics Resource Center has a table indicating which tests are mandated by which state. A parent can request testing not required by their particular state and would be responsible for the costs.

Optional Tests

While the Apgar, hearing and some blood tests are mandatory in all states, parents should consider paying for some non-required blood tests. Each state requires a different set of tests, but if there is a known genetic disorder in the family of either parent that is not required by the state, request a test for that specific disorder. Also consider additional testing if your family pediatrician feels it is necessary.

References

• KidsHealth: Newborn Screening Tests
• American Pregnancy Association: Newborn Testing
• BabyCenter: The Apgar Score
• Boys Town National Research Hospital: My Baby's Hearing -- Newborn Screening