Checks and Screening Tests

Newborn Examination

After your baby is born, a paediatrician, doctor or midwife will give your baby a full check-up. This is often called the ‘Newborn Check’ or NIPE (Newborn Infant Physical Examination). They look at your baby’s eyes, heart, hips, and testicles (if they are a boy). They also see how your baby’s hips move. They usually do these tests within the first 3 days.

The check might be a bit uncomfortable for your baby, but it doesn’t hurt. This check finds problems early so your baby can get help if they need it. If they find something, they might offer more tests.

  • Eyes:
    They look at your baby’s eyes to make sure they’re okay. They’re checking for something called cataracts, which can make it hard to see. But this check doesn’t say how good your baby’s sight is. If needed, they’ll send your baby to the eye doctor at the hospital.
  • Heart:
    They’ll listen and feel your baby’s heart. Sometimes, they hear extra sounds called heart murmurs. Most babies with these sounds are okay. But a few babies, about 1 in 200, need more help for their heart. If needed, they’ll send your baby to the heart doctor at the hospital.
  • Hips:
    They check your baby’s hips. Some babies’ hips aren’t formed right. This is called developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). If it’s not treated, it can cause problems walking. But only a few babies, about 1 or 2 in 1,000, need treatment for DDH.
  • Testicles (for baby boys):
    They make sure a baby boy’s testicles are where they should be. Testicles start inside the body and usually move down before birth. But sometimes, they don’t come down right away. If they don’t come down, it needs treatment to avoid problems when the boy grows up.

You will be also be offered two screening tests for your baby:

  1. A hearing test
  2. A heel prick blood test

In the first days, the midwife will also see if your baby has yellow skin (jaundice), any infections, or white spots in the mouth.

Hearing Test

The NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme ensures all parents are offered hearing screening for their new baby within the first few days or weeks of life. One to 2 babies in every 1,000 are born with a permanent hearing loss in one or both ears with most of these babies being born into families with no history of hearing loss.

Permanent hearing loss can significantly affect a baby’s development. Finding out about hearing loss early gives babies a better chance of developing language, speech and communication skills, as well as making sure their families receive the support they need. It will help babies make the most of relationships with their family and carers from an early age. For more information on newborn hearing screening please read the guidance about Hearing loss.

You may be offered a hearing screen for your baby in hospital before discharge, or you will be contacted and offered an appointment at an outpatient clinic.

Weekly outpatient clinics are offered in the following locations:

  • Bridgwater
  • Burnham
  • Chard
  • Glastonbury
  • Taunton
  • Wellington
  • Wincanton
  • Yeovil

If you have trouble attending a clinic appointment please contact the team and we will aim to accommodate your needs to ensure your baby is offered the screen.

The Newborn Hearing Screening Team for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust can be contacted on: 01823 344315 or by emailing us at SomersetNewbornHearing@somersetft.nhs.uk

If your baby is referred to Audiology from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme more information can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Heel Prick Blood Test

When your baby is 5-8 days old, they get a small blood test from their heel. This checks for 9 rare health problems, like cystic fibrosis. Most babies don’t have these, but finding out early can be very important. The test is quick, but your baby might cry. Holding and feeding them helps.

You should know the results by the time your baby is 6-8 weeks old. If the test shows something, it doesn’t mean for sure your baby has a problem. They will just get more checks.

More about this blood test is on the NHS website Newborn blood spot test – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

For Early Babies

If your baby was born before 32 weeks, they will be offered an extra thyroid test at 28 days or when they leave the hospital.

More about this is on the British Thyroid Foundation website Congenital hypothyroidism (btf-thyroid.org)