The first tests of the newborn

 Among the concerns of new parents, the most important is the fear for the baby's health: how much will he weigh? Will he be healthy? Will he have any problems?... There is no need to be alarmed: in the first hours of life, they will do give the newborn all the necessary tests to confirm that he or she is well.

When there are no complications and the delivery goes smoothly, a pediatric nurse usually provides the baby's first care. But when the health of the future baby is in danger, the presence of a pediatric neonatologist in the delivery room is essential.

These are the first recognitions and attention that the newborn receives. As much as possible, it is important that the baby is in contact with its mother's skin.

• Umbilical cord and birth
• The Apgar test
• Other tests
• New exam before going home
• metabolic tests

The analysis of a drop of blood from the heel, in the first 48 hours of life and a few days later, detects three extraordinarily rare diseases that can cause serious physical and mental disabilities:

With early detection and treatment, affected babies can develop normally.