Bilirubin
Jaundice, the yellowish-orange tint to a baby’s skin, can be a serious problem. All newborns are tested before they go home (sooner if the baby appears jaundiced).
Watch your baby’s skin color after you are home and keep your follow-up appointments. Call your provider if you have any concerns.
Newborn metabolic screen
Oregon law requires all babies be tested for rare disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis, and congenital hypothyroidism, which can cause brain damage or death if not treated early.
The first test will be collected before your baby leaves the hospital and the second test will be collected before your baby is 15 days old. You will be given an envelope with the second test inside for you to take to the baby’s follow-up appointment.
Newborn hearing
All newborns are screened for hearing loss that can lead to difficulties in speech and language development and learning delays. The test is easy, painless and reliable.
Pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry is a simple test to screen for heart defects in newborns by determining the amount of oxygen in your baby’s blood.
Checking all newborns before they are discharged from the hospital is the best way to make sure that even babies who don’t show symptoms of heart problems have been screened.
If a heart defect is identified early, your baby can receive the specialized treatment necessary to prevent death or disability.