Newborn Screening and Testing

After your baby is born, the caring specialists at UPMC will perform a variety of tests and screenings designed to detect problems and treat any underlying health issues.

Standard tests performed after birth include:

• Apgar test — This test measures your baby’s physical condition at one and five minutes after birth.
• Eye prophylaxis — Your baby takes medication in their eyes to prevent infection and blindness.
• Footprinting and identification bands — Identification takes place in the delivery room.
• Vitamin K injection — Vitamin K injections prevent internal bleeding.
• Hearing screening — A hearing screening identifies any hearing problems early.
• Bilirubin screening — Completed at 24 hours of age, this screening checks for yellowing of the skin and an elevated bilirubin level in your baby’s blood. This can usually indicate jaundice.
• Hepatitis B vaccination — This is the first in a series of three vaccinations to prevent hepatitis B.
• Newborn metabolic screening — A metabolic screening is a blood test that can identify a number of metabolic and inherited disorders.

Most tests are noninvasive — in fact, many of these take place during the first few minutes after birth. After you move to the maternity unit, your health care team will care for your baby and perform additional tests in the comfort of your hospital room.

Circumcision

If you wish to have your son circumcised, our providers can perform this procedure in the hospital. Circumcision is a procedure that cuts away the foreskin that covers the head of the penis.

Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-09-05.