Did you allow Newborn Screening?

[Channelle]

I know that the hep b, vit k shot, and the eye ointment are often turned down, but I never hear anything about the newborn screening test. Here they prick the baby's heel 24 hours after birth, collect a vial of blood and test for diseases. Besides it being painful for the baby, is there anything wrong with doing this? Did you allow it to be done?

Thanks!


(Oh also, is this the same as the PKU test, or is that something different?)

[DCMama01]

My newborn just had the Newborn test on Monday. I'd love ot hear why this test shouldn't be performed.

[mamatolevi]

Yes, this is also known at the PKU test - PKU being a very important metabolic disorder to know about. The various tests vary from state to state. I feel very strongly that this is an important test with almost no risks, but with major benefits. Some of the disorders for which the state tests are devastating if not caught and treated early.

The heel prick doesn't have to be very painful as there are things that can be done to help. Warming the baby's heel before pricking is one. Breastfeeding durring the test is another. It should be able to be done in room or with you present so you'll be able to comfort your baby.

Just had this done last week to the wee beastie. He didn't cry at all after his foot was initially unswaddled. It was a heel stick and then drops of blood were collected on a card which is sent to state labs for testing. So, it's not a vial of blood in WA. I don't recall it being a vial of blood in GA either.

[broodymama]

Like the previous poster, I've had it done in GA and WA. Both times it was just the blood collected on the sample card.

I refuse the Hep B, eye ointment and Vitamin K but did have the PKU testing done on all my newborns. With DS (at a hospital in GA) they did one at 24 hours, then one a week later, then another one because they screwed up the 2nd one and didn't get enough blood. With my homebirthed babes we waited a few days until my milk was in and the babies were passing normal breastfed stools and then did the newborn screen.

[lifeguard]

We did it but we waited until day 5 when we went for his one week check.

[ZoeyZoo]

There is a non-medical reason why I almost refused it. In nearly all states the state will store a copy of the baby's DNA along with their name, info on the mom, and a few other things. It can be used for "research purposes" and you have no control as a partent how it is used. I don't want my baby's DNA being stored like that. I found a provite lab that didn't hand over the results to the state and paid the $35 fee out of pocket. President Bush had signed a law to make this a federal database and that certian federal agencies and the CDC would be allowed access. I don't know whether the process is complete yet.

As for the PKU my feelings are that at 24 hours when the test is normally performed it can only catch genetic things. The digestive track hasn't been performing outside the womb so that the digestive tests are not very accurate. I chose to use cord blood which provides accurate testing for the genetic side and provides a similar accuract for the digestive issues as taking a heel blood sample at 24 hours. PKU and some of the other digestive issues can be tested by urine after 2 weeks if you want.

Also performing the test at 24 hours is more difficult because the blood isnt flowing well yet. It's much quicker at 5 days.

[Sk8ermaiden]

I allowed it even though I declined everything else. Elizabeth nursed through it and didn't even cry. I personally did the research and think it's worth it.

[pixiekisses]

We do PKU, but nothing else. But, hep. B and eye ointment (for what?) aren't available here, just vit. K which we refuse.

[JessicaS]

My son had the screening. It doesn't just test for PKU, my son's was in Missouri and they test for about 50 different things.

We did agree to the Vit k since it was a complicated pregnancy. We did not agree to the eye ointment.

[fruitfulmomma]

We allow it. My midwife does it, usually a few days after birth. I always bf the baby during it, but yeah they don't really like it.

I do have my reservations about the state having it on file. I am seriously considering looking for a private lab next time because the state started charging $70 for it anyway.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

My midwife is extremely hands-off, and she said this particular test was a pretty important one. I did my research and decided that I would go ahead and do it (I declined eye ointment, vit k shot, etc). My midwife's mother (also a midwife) actually did it about 5 days after birth, and she warmed my baby's foot up with a cloth first, and let me nurse while she stuck her heel and put four or five drops of blood on a card. Because she was nursing, my baby didn't even act like she knew anything was happening. The midwife didn't act like my nursing the baby during the procedure was a nuisance at all.

It was much more peaceful than the biliruben blood drawing my babe had to have at a lab -- there, I couldn't nurse her during the procedure, she was cold, it took forever, and she screamed her head off.

[JessicaS]

They didn't let you nurse during the bili??

[nia82]

Wow good info on the private lab. We did the test in the hospital as I didn't know there was another option. I was profusely concerned over the DNA storing and still am. With the next kiddo we will do the private lab - no questions asked!!!!
It's like I had the hospital sign a form that they will burn the placenta and not sell it for research - as they didn't allow me to take it home. Btw what is the law on that (specifically CO)?
So it is not the test that is bad - it is good - but what the states do with it is a whole other issue.

[*MamaJen*]

I think the newborn screening is incredibly important to do. It tests for a number of metabolic disorders, including PKU, that can be absolutely devastating if not caught -- think severe mental retardation -- but can be managed fairly easily with early detection.
There's really no risk to the test. It's a heel prick, which is a few moments of discomfort, but it's not like a vaccination or injection that puts something into the baby. There's virtually no risk to it.
To me, it basically comes down to a few seconds of discomfort versus a potential lifetime of profound disability.

[Channelle]

Sorry I couldn't get back to this thread fast, computer was being stupid.

Thanks so much for your help! I had just never thought about this test, and had noticed that it wasn't talked about as procedures people refused, so I wasn't sure what it was all about!

[thefreckledmama]

Originally Posted by ZoeyZoo

There is a non-medical reason why I almost refused it. In nearly all states the state will store a copy of the baby's DNA along with their name, info on the mom, and a few other things. It can be used for "research purposes" and you have no control as a partent how it is used. I don't want my baby's DNA being stored like that. I found a provite lab that didn't hand over the results to the state and paid the $35 fee out of pocket.

That is one of our main objections. Another being that they do the test at 24 hrs, and the baby has to be digesting breastmilk/formula for at least 24 hours for the test to be accurate. Since your milk doesn't come in for at least a day or two, they're not digesting breastmilk at the time of the test.

How did you go about having it done at a private lab? Was it something you arranged beforehand? Did the hospital still administer the test and just send it somewhere different, or did you have to take the baby to the private lab in order to have it done?

[JennTheMomma]

Our son had it, they did it in the room with us and he slept through it, takes less than a second. We'll have it again, probably at home with our MW this time. With our son they tested for a lot of things.

[katelove]

In Australia it is offered at 48-72 hours of age. Could you ask to have it delayed for a day or two?

[dinahx]

Subbing!

[SleeplessMommy]

Yes, we do the newborn screening. I recently met a young lady (about 15 years old) with PKU, and living a totally normal life. (except for some food restrictions and special meds)

The risk of PKU in my baby is tiny, but if it is there I absolutely want to know, for the best possible outcome. My state screens for multiple metabolic disorders, not just PKU.