Your Complete Guide to Your Newborn’s Checkup

Early-days follow-up and jaundice

Dear parents, congratulations on the safe arrival of your baby! A whole new world full of love and responsibility is now in your hands. We know the first days can be confusing and full of questions, so we prepared this complete guide to accompany you through one of the most important first steps of parenthood: Newborn tests.

Why are these tests so important?

Think of these tests as the first message your baby sends to tell us that everything is fine. They are a set of simple, safe preventive tests carried out in the first hours and days after birth. Their purpose is to reassure you about your baby’s health and to detect early any health problem that may not be visible. Early detection means early treatment, which gives your baby the best possible start to a healthy life.

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Part One: Routine checks at the clinic

Before leaving the hospital, your baby will have several basic tests. Here are the most important:

1. Full clinical examination:

The pediatrician will examine your baby from head to toe. They will check the heart and lungs, skin color, limb movement, weight and length, and test normal neurological reflexes such as the sucking and grasping reflexes.

2. Heel prick test:

This test may seem worrying, but it is simple, very quick and saves many lives. A few drops of blood are taken from your baby’s heel 24–48 hours after birth for testing. This test detects dozens of rare and serious genetic and metabolic diseases, such as:

• Congenital hypothyroidism: A condition that is easily treated if detected early, avoiding any effect on mental and physical growth.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU): An inherited disease that prevents the body from processing a certain amino acid; early treatment protects against intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental problems.

3. Hearing screening:

This simple, painless test is done while your baby sleeps. It aims to make sure your baby hears well, as early detection of any hearing loss allows prompt intervention to ensure normal language and speech development.

4. Oxygen saturation screening:

A simple test that measures the oxygen level in your baby’s blood with a painless light sensor. It helps detect certain critical congenital heart defects early.

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Part Two: Jaundice

Jaundice is one of the most common conditions among newborns (about 60% of babies). It is usually caused by the liver not being mature enough to clear the yellow substance bilirubin quickly.

When does jaundice become a concern?

• Yellowing appears within the first 24 hours after birth.
• The yellow color spreads quickly from the face to the rest of the body.
• The skin is deep yellow or orange.
• Severe drowsiness and refusing to feed.
• Loud, high-pitched crying.
• Jaundice lasting more than two weeks, or pale stools with dark urine.

Your role in prevention and treatment

• Frequent feeding: (8–12 times a day) is the best way to help your baby clear bilirubin.
• Daily monitoring: Check the skin color in natural light.
• Asking for help: Do not hesitate to see the doctor if you feel worried.