A newborn heel stick test for babies is probably the most common method through which the doctor draws capillary blood from an infant for medical testing. If you are not aware of what capillaries are, capillaries are tiny blood vessels that carry blood to the tissues and then connect the arteries to the veins. A device known as a lancet is used to prick the baby’s heel to obtain blood samples.
To conduct the newborn heel stick test for babies, a nurse or a doctor takes out a tiny drop of blood from the baby’s heel. The Heel Stick test is done as a part of newborn screening tests. Here is all you need to know about this test, how it is done, and other important aspects.
In This Article
- What is a Newborn Heel Stick Test?
- Why is The Heel Stick Test Done?
- Is The Heel Stick Test Standard?
- What Does a Heel Stick Test Diagnose?
- What is the Most Serious Complication of an Infant Heel Stick?
- FAQ’s
What is a Newborn Heel Stick Test?
A newborn heel stick test is conducted 24-48 hours after the baby is born. Doctors take the help of hell stick tests to screen for possible severe health conditions in babies and analyze if any metabolic or hormone disorders persist. Symptoms of such conditions may not be visible during childbirth but can prove harmful and even life-threatening if not treated promptly.
In the newborn heel stick test, the baby’s heel is pricked to take a tiny blood sample. The pricked blood is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. If the tests report any abnormalities, you will get to know about them via text or email. However, you won’t hear back anything if there are no complications in your newborn’s heel stick test reports.
A heel stick test is conducted before the baby leaves the hospital. However, if your baby is born at home, you can take them to a nearby hospital for the screening test. Just ensure you do not delay it beyond 48 hours of birth.
[Read : Neonatal Screening Tests in India ]
Why is The Heel Stick Test Done?
The heel stick test helps to identify any possible health problem in newborn babies. Some babies may be born with certain genetic or metabolic issues, the symptoms of which may only appear later in life. There are several diseases which do not show up when the baby is just born.
If you wait till the symptoms show up, it may be too late for treatment. Heel stick tests help identify such conditions at the earliest so that the doctor can start of your baby on the necessary treatments at the earliest. If delayed, it can lead to complications, and severe disabilities can develop.
Is The Heel Stick Test Standard?
Yes, almost all the babies who are born each year are required to undergo a heel stick test just before they leave the hospital after being born. This is a standard procedure of every hospital conducted for every newborn baby.
Although you may feel sad or worried about your newborn being pricked at the end of the day, this is for their betterment. If you refrain from this test, you will regret it later. This test is crucial to know about any possible health defects in your baby.
What Does a Heel Stick Test Diagnose?
Heel stick tests are used for
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Maple syrup urine disease
- Sickle cell anemia
- Blood gas analysis
- Liver function tests
- Complete blood counts
- Bedside glucose monitoring
What is The Most Serious Complication of an Infant Heel Stick?
Improperly conducting a heel stick test can lead to certain serious but very rare complications.
Not choosing the right depth, the right site for heel prick and improper preparation of the area can lead to complications such as
- Abscess
- Cellulitis
- Calcaneal osteomyelitis
- Necrotizing chondritis of calcaneous cartilage
Improper disinfection and administering of the test in premature babies can often result in rare conditions called Inguinal lymphadenitis and purulent lymphadenitis. Timely diagnosis and treatment are vital in such situations.
The primary reason for a heel stick test is to conduct newborn screening to determine if any defects persist in your baby during childbirth. It is a state mandate to conduct newborn heel stick tests. The doctor should perform these tests within 48 hours of birth. If done timely, your baby would be entitled to an effective treatment that will help them eliminate any persisting genetic disorder.
[Read : Understanding Birth Defects And Their Symptoms]
FAQ’s
1. Is The Heel Stick Test Painful For Babies?
Yes, the heel stick test can be painful for babies, but the pain is usually short-lived, and the benefits of the test outweigh the pain.
2. What is The Purpose of The Heel Stick Test When Babies Are Born?
Heel stick tests are used to collect blood from newborn babies for screening tests. This test is usually conducted before the baby leaves the hospital.
Read Also: Know All About The Apgar Score In Newborns
