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After your baby is born, a doctor or nurse will perform a series of tests to
determine your baby’s physical condition. A routine evaluation, called the
Apgar test, is used to identify whether your baby needs urgent medical care.
After delivery, your baby will also be given a vitamin K shot, eye drops, and
newborn screening tests. Your baby may also receive a hearing test and a
hepatitis B vaccine.
What happens during an Apgar test?
During an Apgar test, your baby’s heart rate, breathing, reflex response,
muscle tone, and skin coloration are measured. These five signs are evaluated at
one minute after birth and at five minutes after birth. Each test is given a
score between zero and two, and the five scores are added together to make up
the Apgar score.
What does the Apgar score mean?
If your baby has an Apgar score of seven or more, he or she is probably in
good physical condition. A baby rarely scores a perfect 10, because his or her
skin color may be slightly blue until he or she warms up. A low Apgar score may
indicate problems with your baby’s heart or lungs. It may also be the result
of a difficult labor. Your baby may be in good physical condition, but have a
low score immediately after birth. Premature babies may score low because of
immature development in the womb. Keep in mind that your baby’s Apgar score
does not predict his or her future health.
Why does my baby need a vitamin K shot?
Your baby will typically have low levels of vitamin K when he or she is
born. Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting, so your baby will usually receive
a vitamin K shot immediately after birth. This will help prevent a rare but
serious bleeding problem known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
Why does my baby need eye drops?
Your baby will receive antibiotic eye ointment or eye drops to prevent
bacterial infections that he or she may pick up at birth.
What are newborn screening tests?
All newborns are screened for certain birth defects. With early detection,
these conditions can be prevented or treated. Your baby’s heel will be pricked
and a sample of blood taken to test for the following:
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) – phenylalanine, a substance
found in food, cannot be processed, causing mental retardation.
- Galactosemia – the sugar in milk cannot be converted
into sugar used for energy, causing mental retardation, blindness, and
death.
- Sickle cell anemia – an inherited blood disease that
can cause damage to organs, infections, and death.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia – missing hormones that
can affect genital development and cause death.
- Hypothyroidism – brain development and growth are
hampered because of a hormone deficiency.
Why does a newborn need a hearing test?
Early treatment of hearing loss can prevent future speech and language
problems. A small earphone or microphone will be placed in your baby’s ears to
see how he or she responds to sounds.
Why does a newborn need a hepatitis B vaccine?
The hepatitis B vaccine protects against the hepatitis B virus, which causes
liver damage. The hepatitis B vaccine is a series of three shots. Your baby will
usually receive the first shot after delivery, and the next two shots by 18
months of age.
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