Importance of newborn heel pr*ck test and is it ever refused?

**Arimeh** · January 6th, 2009, 09:37 PM

Yeah I was just told it was to pick up on genetic disorders that may not have been picked up on through ultrasounds during the pregnancy.

DS screamed through his - but DD was being fed at the time and didn't even flinch - and they did it 3 times with her cos they didn't get enough blood!!!

Must be a girl thing to be tough

**kristy J** · January 6th, 2009, 09:50 PM

mostly they check for CF. among other things its a very important test.

non of my boys even flinched.
and TBH it was the least of our worries for the twins they had so many needles after birth they started to look like a pin cousion.
its really a non event. kinda the same as if your getting your blood sugar checked. doesn't hurt really.

**The[cookie]Doctor** · January 6th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Holly, a good hossy will tell you to bring baby down as they are due for a feed.
Breastfeeding is a great comfort to babies even if they dont end up crying it ill make him feel secure.
I sat on a couch and breastfed DS (football hold) and she *****ed him from behind me.

He didn't flinch and just kept on enjoying his boobyjuice.
As for the injection after birth, pfffft he didn't even need to be feeding he didn't care!!
He has never been much of a crier when it comes to needles.

**Visitor8** · January 8th, 2009, 07:09 AM

Its a pretty important test IMO

They check for some pretty severe genetic disorders, which if not picked up then might lead to them becoming sick and not getting the right treatment, CF for example.

You will get a pamphlet with all the info on the things they check for.

Jaidan was found to be a carrier for CF. It is important because when he goes on to have kids, if his partner is a carrier they will have a 1 in 3 chance of producing a baby with CF. Lucky for his father and I we found this out and could choose to have genetic councelling to find out who was a carrier, and what our chances were.

All 3 of the boys didn't like it, they cried, but I wasn't in the room for the first 2. I didn't want to be. The older boys dad went, and Ashton was done here at home. They came back a little upset but nothing a booby didn't fix

**HotI** · January 8th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Jaidan was found to be a carrier for CF. It is important because when he goes on to have kids, if his partner is a carrier they will have a 1 in 3 chance of producing a baby with CF. Lucky for his father and I we found this out and could choose to have genetic councelling to find out who was a carrier, and what our chances were.

Hi

You might already know this, but your other boys could also be carriers for CF. The heel pr!ck test can pick up CF carriers (like your little one), but it doesn't always pick up carriers. Important info for other members of your family (siblings, cousins etc). When a family member has been found to be a carrier, genetic testing for others in family is usually free.

take care,

k

**Visitor8** · January 8th, 2009, 08:31 AM

oh thanks for that Kate! I have a doc appt today and will ask about getting it done

I didn't know that!

**Laranna** · January 6th, 2009, 10:02 PM

The heel ***** test (aka newborn screening test or Guthrie test) ensures the early detection and treatment of a number of rare but important conditions such as CF, phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and lots of other metabolic conditions.

DS handled it pretty well. I got to cuddle him while they did it (twice in one foot cause they couldn't get enough blood!).

The hospital will only contact you about the results if they find anything out of the norm and then you go and do more tests. So if you hear nothing back afterwards, it's a good thing!

ETA - I second what cookiemonster said! BF your bub while they do it, it's very comforting.

**Kailani** · January 7th, 2009, 05:51 AM

Thanks so much everyone, your replies have really put my mind at ease

I am just a big baby and was really worried about the pain for bubs (my Mum told me that it was a really awful test and both my sisters howled and screamed and it was all very traumatic

) I will definitely be feeding him when it's done, it seems to be a good distractor!

Thanks again

**The[cookie]Doctor** · January 7th, 2009, 06:01 AM

They might be thinking of an infant blood test - which is horrible. They have to squeeze and squeeze to get blood out and it is really, really distressing

DS howled when he needed one and then the Dr. didn't even use the results...

But the heel ***** is literally just a ***** and them using a piece of carboard and wiping across the blood droplet to get a sample. You will be fine, and so you will bub!

**Heaven** · January 7th, 2009, 06:02 AM

wtf?? No one has even mentioned it to me yet!! Is it done to every baby everywhere?? A bit slack if they haven't told me!

**The[cookie]Doctor** · January 7th, 2009, 06:17 AM

Yup SJ, it is generally done on day 2-3 and if you are already home by then someone will come to your home to do it.

Here is an article on it; Newborn screening guidelines: Genetic Health Services - Victorian Government Health Information, Australia

I don't think it is mandatory, however it is highly recommended.

**Pandora** · January 7th, 2009, 06:20 AM

SaraJane yep its standard procedure.
Unless you choose otherwise your baby will have this test, plus hep B injection and vit K injection. The 2 injections are normally done within 1-2 days of birth unless you request otherwise. They dont always tell you like they should, it can often be up to you to "just know" and investigate these things ahead of time in case you decide against any of them.

Personally I think the heel test is more important than the other 2.

**Heaven** · January 7th, 2009, 06:25 AM

They did tell me about the hep b and vit k but not this one. Maybe b/c I'm in the midwifery program and if everything is well go home after 6 hrs, so maybe it's coz someone else will come do it??
I shall ask about it at me appt today anyway, thanks guys!

**Neenee Jellybeanie** · January 9th, 2009, 04:25 AM

Thanks so much everyone, your replies have really put my mind at ease

I am just a big baby and was really worried about the pain for bubs (my Mum told me that it was a really awful test and both my sisters howled and screamed and it was all very traumatic

) I will definitely be feeding him when it's done, it seems to be a good distractor!

Thanks again

It *used* to be a horrible ordeal; my daughers dad was particularly worried when we were about to have it done to DD because he remembers seeing his sister take the test (some 14 years ago now); the Dr took out a scalpel and slashed the bottom of her foot and there was blood everywhere, aparently (though perhaps the 8 year old mind does exagerrate lol).

**OceanPrincess** · January 12th, 2009, 10:41 AM

I found out about this test in my first antenatal class on Thursday. I agree that it is important for screening and have no problem with that.

Also I agree with Kate's comments about CF screening - I was tested before DH and I began TTC.

The thing that concerns me about the heel pr*ck test is that they retain the blood sample. The midwife didn't know for how long, but she thinks indefinitely.

Does this concern anyone else? That somewhere, out there, there is a big database that contains our DNA and personal information?

Have I been watching too much CSI? It all sounds a bit too much "big brother is watching" for my liking...

**Kailani** · January 12th, 2009, 07:50 PM

OceanPrincess, that was one of my questions in my original post - a government conspiricy of some kind perhaps?

It doesn't really "concern" me, I'm just curious to know why they keep everybody's DNA on file even after recording the results...

**BeautifulMadness** · January 8th, 2009, 07:19 AM

didnt bother my son at all. Me and my hubby were there and DH held him but he slept thru it. make sure they he/she is feed lol

thread: Importance of newborn heel pr*ck test and is it ever refused?

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