Re: newborn screen at hospital?

[Anonymous]

I heard something about an "expanded" screen that is done in some states but not others...can someone who delivered at Holy Cross tell me what to expect in terms of newborn screening for various conditions? (I assume they will take some blood, but hopefully that will be more painful for me than for the baby)...do you get the results immediately? Perhaps this is done at the pediatrician's office rather than the hospital? I appreciate any and all info...

[Anonymous]

I cannot speak for Holy Cross, but will warn you to make sure your baby is at least 24 hours old before they do the blood draw. My baby was just barely (within a couple of minutes) one day old when they took his blood draw (they just prick the heel). If your baby is too young, then some of the screens can come back with a false negative. One to two weeks later at 5pm in the evening the nurse from the doctor's office called to tell me that my baby didn't pass the screening (she didn't even specify which test it was and there are many of them). Of course I was too shocked to ask any questions at the time and had to wait until the doctors office opened the next morning to get any answers. In his case the did a second screen and everything turned out fine. I think it took about 1 week to get the results from the second screen.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak for HC either since I delivered in VA where it is now required that the all babies born in the state are screened for certain metabolic disorders (PKU was the only one I recognized since there was a long list of abbreviations).

My newborn was pricked in the heel 5 times! Yes, they need a lot of blood for that test and it broke my heart to hear my DD wailing.

I'm a first time mom so all of this was overwhelming especially during post partem. To make it worse, the ped. told me that there isn't a good baseline for a lot of the metabolic screens since all the statistics are based on adults and not newborns. That is why a lot of results are false positives and often need to be repeated (more blood draws!!!).

Hope that gives you some clarity. HC is in DC, right? I'm not sure what the District's policy is. You should definitely ask. I wish I had known about it before.

[Anonymous]

Holy Cross is in Silver Spring...Thanks for the replies. I did some research and it seems that MD actually does screen for many disorders, but the recommendation is to re-test, especially if the initial tests are done before 24 hours b/c of the false positive rate. So, I guess re-testing is standard. I guess it is just one more thing to look out for in the hospital although I'm sure compared with the drama and emotion of labor, the heel prick will be minor in comparison... --OP

[Anonymous]

the PKU test is mandated by law in Maryland and they will re-test at your ped's office shortly after birth.

[Anonymous]

Check with your ped about HepB. Hospitals give it routinely to protect against people who don't go for peditrician care later. Many peds start the first Heb B with a combined vac at 2 months, so the hospital shot ends up being extra and unecessary.

Many newborns are born with a blocked tear duct that clears up in a few months. Again hospitals do not check to see if you were tested for STDs and will apply and prescribe antibiotic ointments at any sign of discharge. When we went in the first day, with the ointment, our ped just rolled her eyes at the hospital policy. Hospital policies for newborns really seemed to be designed to protect general public health in the event that the parents will be neglectful.

Your newborn should not need to be pricked 5 times unless there is some disorder! If your newborn is breathing well with good apgars , he does not need to be whisked away to the nursery right after birth. This is only about an easier time for the nursing staff and has nothing to do with health. You also have the right to be present during exams.

I did not like how they wanted to take the baby away to the nursery and have him basically wait in line with crying babies to be checked. We said no and were present for the exam. Yes, the assembly line is easier for the medical staff but not baby friendly.

[Anonymous]

Was this at Holy Cross that they took your baby away to the nursery? I took the hospital tour yesterday, and they said that you can't come with for the hearing screening, but (I think) that you could come with for other examinations.

Also, re: Hep. B shot: The tour guide said you could refuse it. I'm going to refuse it because she can get that shot at the first dr appointment. The guide made it sound like there's a consent form you have to sign before they give the shot, so I think you can refuse it by crossing it out or not signing it.

[Anonymous]

I just delivered at HC 2 weeks ago. Every test (incl hearing) was done in the room with me. The ONLY time my DS left my room was when he had his circ. They did the Hep B and PKU in the room with me. One was immediately after birth and the other was 1-2 days later (can't remember exactly).