Newborn screening: heel prick, hearing, hips, eyes and heart checks

Even if your baby looks healthy, some conditions may not show signs in the first days. Newborn screening consists of simple, quick checks that help to notice them early. Because the timing and place of each test can vary, your family doctor or the hospital where you gave birth will tell you when.

Heel prick (blood spot) screening

In Turkey, within the newborn screening programme, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby's heel, absorbed onto paper and examined in a laboratory. The aim is to find certain metabolic and hormonal conditions where early treatment can change the outcome. The delivery room, hospital or family doctor will say on which day it is taken; doing it on time matters. If you are called back, go without delay; a callback often just means a repeat sample.

Hearing screening

Hearing loss in a baby is not obvious at first glance. During screening, a small tip is placed in the ear while the baby sleeps, and responses are measured in a painless test lasting a few minutes. Most babies who do not pass are in fact healthy; the test is repeated because of reasons such as fluid in the ear. If you are called back, go, and ask for further assessment if needed.

Hip check

The doctor gently moves the baby's hips to see whether the joint is in place. Developmental hip dysplasia means the hip joint is not sitting properly, and if noticed early it can usually be corrected with simple methods. Some babies may be offered an ultrasound. Not swaddling tightly also matters for hip development; see the Guide article on postpartum traditions.

Eye check and the red reflex

The doctor uses a light to see whether a red glow (the red reflex) comes from the baby's eyes. An absent reflex, or a difference between the two eyes, may need further assessment. The check is quick and does not hurt.

Pulse oximetry for the heart

In some hospitals, a small light-based device measures oxygen levels on the baby's hand and foot. It can help to notice certain heart conditions present from birth. Ask your hospital how this is done where you are.

Quick, useful tips

1. Keep the baby's screening card or records.
2. At discharge, ask which tests were done and which are still to come.
3. If a callback comes, there is no need to panic; it is often a routine repeat.
4. Keep your family doctor and the vaccine schedule in mind too.
5. For general information about the first days, see the Guide articles on newborn care and the first 24 hours.

Results and follow-up

In most babies, screening results are normal. If a result needs attention, you will be contacted, which is why your phone number and address should be up to date in the records. A call does not mean your baby has a condition; often the sample was inadequate or it is a check. You can ask your family doctor or the paediatrician following your baby about results. For newborn care, see the Guide article on newborn care too.

When to contact your doctor

• Blue colour, difficulty breathing or grunting in the baby: call 112 (in Turkey) or your local emergency number immediately.
• Poor feeding, extreme sleepiness, fever or a very low body temperature.
• Jaundice that increases quickly, yellow skin or changes in urine colour.
• If you notice no response to sounds, or a white glow in the eyes.
• If you missed a repeat screening you were called for, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions

If screening is normal, is nothing checked again? Screening does not give a final diagnosis; doctor check-ups continue for signs that appear later.

Do these tests hurt the baby? The heel prick can cause brief discomfort; the others are generally painless.

This article is for information only; your doctor and hospital decide the content and timing of tests.