Things Newborn Pediatricians Check After A Baby Is Delivered

After your baby is born, most doctors will let you have skin-to-skin contact with them. The baby will be placed over your chest or abdomen directly with towels or blankets draped over to keep them warm. Next, some tests are conducted to ensure the baby is healthy and doing well. This blog will list the things pediatricians check and the tests they conduct following the delivery to ensure your child is healthy.

1. Blood

One of the first things a newborn pediatrician does is collect blood from the umbilical cord to check the baby’s blood type. If their blood type does not match the mother’s, the newborn is at risk of contracting diseases like jaundice. The neonatal pediatrician also tests the baby’s blood sugar, oxygen, and platelet levels using cord blood.

2. Skin Coloration

The neonatal pediatrician will also examine the skin pigmentation on the baby’s body, even though a their skin color may seem evident at birth. This includes looking for birthmarks, which could result from skin anomalies caused by abnormal development of blood vessels.

3. Hips

Some babies are likely to have CHD, medically known as Congenital hip dislocation, wherein the child is born with an unstable hip. This may result in joint issues or a limp if neglected and left untreated. Therefore, it’s one of the things that pediatricians check as soon as they welcome a baby into this world.

4. Eyes

The doctor will also examine your child’s eyes to observe their movement and appearance. Newborns are likely to have a clouding of the translucent lens inside the eye known as cataracts. Therefore, observatory tests are done at birth to ensure there’s no clouding over the lens. If your infant requires additional tests, they can be referred to the hospital’s ophthalmology (eye) department.

5. Length and Weight Measurements 

Some medical facilities prefer weighing the baby and taking their measurements immediately after birth. At the same time, some facilities allow the parents to enjoy their moment with their newborn before the baby enters a deeper sleeping state. Nonetheless, weight and height are also crucial factors that pediatricians check soon after birth.

6. Testicles

When baby boys are born, their testicles are also examined at birth to ensure they are in the proper position. The testicles develop inside the baby’s body when in the mother’s womb.  These testicles descend into the scrotum a few months after the birth. Every 1 in 100 baby boy encounters the issue where the testicles don’t descend or only descend partially. Therefore, to avoid such potential issues that could lead to impaired or reduced fertility as the child grows, it’s essential to the testicles at birth.

7. Reflexes

Reflexes are one of the primary physical attributes a neonatal pediatrician examines after birth. For instance, when examining a baby’s sucking response, doctors frequently press the second knuckle of their index finger against the infant’s lips. This reflex motion helps babies sip milk. If the baby doesn’t reach forward, they must undergo further reflex assessments to determine the cause of the problem.

8. Heart Rate

The neonatal pediatrician measures the infant’s heart rate twice to check on the stability of the cardiac activity. The first check is conducted one minute after birth, and the second check is done four minutes later. The baby’s heart rate tends to fluctuate when inside a mother’s womb, but it gets more stable as they come out.

9. Infant Screening

Newborn screening refers to multiple tests that check your infant for several illnesses. Newborn screening is mandatory in every state due to the significance of early identification of potentially serious health issues. Babies are typically examined for fifty to sixty illnesses, including sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, phenylketonuria, and galactosemia. A needle is pricked in the baby’s heel to collect the blood sample. This test is done 24 hours after the baby’s birth. Many hospitals perform the test before discharging the baby and ask you to return after a week and get the tests again. Your pediatrician will better guide you on the state rules regarding infant screening and what you need to do.

Get In Touch With Experienced Pediatricians In San Antonio To Ensure Your Newborn Is Healthy

If you’re looking for an experienced pediatrician for your newborn baby in San Antonio, look no further than A Thru Z Pediatrics. We’re one of the leading primary care pediatrics in San Antonio and provide various services, including child vaccinations and well-child visits Stone Oak. We have some of the best pediatricians that pay close attention to your newborns and adolescents and provide the best advice to parents. Contact us today for more information or book an appointment.