Newborn Screening
NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAMME
The Newborn Screening Programme consists of three screens which are offered to all babies born within NHS Hampshire. Information both written and verbal is supplied to all parents /carers so they can make an informed decision to screen or not. The screens consist of:
1. Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Programme (NIPE) which is a head to toe physical examination of a neonate checking for problems or abnormalities. The examination is carried out within 72 hours of birth and then again at 6 to 8 weeks of age, to identify any condition that could develop at this later stage. The examination includes a general all over physical check, as well as specific examination of the neonate's eyes, heart, hips and testes, in boys.
2. Newborn Blood Spot which screens for phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism (CHT), sickle cell disease (SCD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD). These screens allow the early diagnosis and treated of affect babies so reducing the possibility of harm to their development.
3. Newborn Hearing screening programme offers a hearing screen for every baby within two weeks of birth. The screen aims to identify all babies born with moderate to profound permanent bilateral deafness within 4-5 weeks of birth and to ensure appropriate referral for treatment. This will help to reduce the impact on the child’s development.
Midwives inform all parents / carers of these screening tests and also provide written information. The parent or carer is informed of all results by the professional carrying out the test.
If you want to read more about these tests please speak with your midwife or general practitioner.
Alternatively you can find more information on the following web page: http://www.screening.nhs.uk/england
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