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September is National Newborn Screening Awareness Month. It’s a time to think about tests that identify conditions that could affect a baby’s long-term health. Newborn screening is a term you may hear from your doctor before or just after your baby is born. This screening is composed of three different tests. They include:

1. Blood Spot Screening: This test can let you know if your child has one of many serious conditions.
2. Hearing Test: This test checks if your newborn might be deaf or hard of hearing.
3. Pulse Oximetry Screening: This test will help you find out if your newborn might have a serious heart condition.

Newborn screening and testing can also check for genetic disorders that may impact the life of your infant. Early identification of these disorders and treatment lead to better outcomes for your baby. The goal is to have your newborn live a long and normal life.

These tests are completed within the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery of your baby or babies. If you decide to deliver outside a hospital setting, you should talk with your midwife or healthcare provider about these tests. It is very important that all babies have this testing. If you have questions regarding these tests and are a Fidelis Care member, Fidelis Care’s BabyCare team is here to help.

Some babies are born prematurely and cannot have these tests performed right away. Some babies require blood transfusions, dialysis, or receive medications and nutrients before the testing can be completed. These babies may need additional testing. You can speak with your OB or NICU providers about this testing. Fidelis Care members can contact our BabyCare team for any additional questions.

Details about each test:

1. Blood Spot Screening: A very small amount of blood is taken from the baby’s heel and sent to a laboratory. This sample is taken at day one or two of life. If the results are out of range, then your baby’s provider will be notified.
2. Hearing Test: This test can be done while your infant is sleeping. During this test, a soft earphone is placed in your baby’s ear canal. The earphone plays a sound and measures an echo response that happens with normal hearing. If there is no echo, your baby may have hearing loss. Further testing will be required.
3. Pulse Oximetry Screening: A pulse oximeter is used to measure how much oxygen is being carried by your baby’s red blood cells.  This oximeter is placed on the infant’s hand or foot. This test is completed when your baby is at least 24 hours of age.

For more information on newborn screening, contact your healthcare provider. The BabyCare team is just a phone call away for Fidelis Care members at 1-800-247-1441, extension 16092. You’ll be linked with a nurse who can help you understand more about these tests and you and your baby’s health.

Additional resources:

New York State Department of Health Newborn Screening Program

Your Baby’s Hearing Screening and Next Steps

Clinical Screening and Diagnosis for Critical Congenital Heart Defects

Becky Fried, RN, is a Fidelis Care BabyCare Senior Care Manager, specializing in Neonatal Intensive Care. Prior to Fidelis Care, where she has served for seven years, Becky worked as a level four Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse in Syracuse for 12 years. She is passionate about working with families and providing support and education during stressful and uncertain times.