There are tests that should be conducted at certain intervals to monitor children's healthy development and to diagnose potential health issues early. Tests may vary depending on the child's age, genetic factors in the family, and current health status. Basic tests that should be performed on children include blood tests, urine analysis, vision and hearing tests, bone density measurements, growth monitoring, and vaccination schedule checks. Health screenings starting in the newborn period can help identify health issues that children may encounter in later ages in advance.
Heel Prick Screening
The newborn heel prick screening test is a screening test that helps in the early diagnosis of diseases that can be congenital in babies. With this test applied in the first days after birth, early diagnosis of genetic diseases such as phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, and biotinidase deficiency is possible.
Between 48 and 72 hours after birth, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby's heel by pricking it with a needle in predetermined amounts, and these blood samples are sent to the laboratory for analysis.
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Biotinidase Deficiency: Biotinidase deficiency is a genetic disorder. If not diagnosed early, biotinidase deficiency can lead to various complications such as hair loss, hearing loss, and neurological disorders.
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Congenital Hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormone deficiency is a condition that can appear from birth. If not diagnosed and treated early, it can lead to serious problems like developmental delays and mental capacity deficiency.
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Cystic Fibrosis: It affects the exocrine glands, leading to the secretion of thick and sticky fluid. Cystic fibrosis affects many organs in the body, especially the lungs and the digestive system. When diagnosed early, complications related to the disease can be prevented.
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Phenylketonuria: Phenylketonuria is an inherited disorder caused by the amino acid phenylalanine, which cannot be metabolized in the body. If not diagnosed early, the accumulation of phenylalanine in the brain and other tissues can cause various health problems such as mental retardation.
Newborn Hearing Test
Newborn hearing test is a screening test conducted to evaluate the hearing senses of babies after birth. The test is crucial for determining the baby's hearing ability at an early stage and for timely interventions. The newborn hearing test is usually conducted in the first days or weeks after the baby's birth.
For hearing tests in newborn babies, the Automatic Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) method is preferred. In this method, small and soft earphones are used to send sound waves to the baby's ear, and how the baby responds to this sound is measured. If the baby does not show an appropriate reaction to the sound, the test can be repeated, or a different test can be conducted with the Alternative Brain Response (ABR) method. Depending on the test results, if the baby does not respond appropriately to the sound, the family is referred to an appropriate unit for a more detailed evaluation.
Eye Examination
Eye health is a factor that directly affects both a child's academic success and daily life. Conducting the first eye examination in the newborn period allows for the early recognition of diseases such as congenital cataracts, glaucoma, or retinopathy.
The second eye examination for babies can be conducted between 6 and 12 months. At this stage, in addition to the newborn period, eye movements should be examined. Squinting or misalignment issues in the eyes can also be checked at this time.
The third eye examination should be conducted when the child is 1 to 3 years old and should evaluate conditions like lazy eye in addition to previous checks.
The next eye examination for children aged 3 to 5 years can be performed at this age group, besides eye movement and alignment problems, refractive issues like myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism should also be evaluated.
After the age of 5, children should consult a doctor for an eye examination in case of any eye-related problems.
Developmental Screening Test
The developmental screening test in children is an essential tool for monitoring children's cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. The test aims to identify potential delays or problems early by following developmental milestones determined according to the child's age.
Developmental screening tests can generally evaluate areas like a child's mental abilities, motor skills, language development, emotional behaviors, and social interaction skills. Through these tests, the child's strengths can be identified, and weaker areas can be highlighted for referral to support programs if necessary.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are frequently conducted for health check-ups and diagnostic purposes in children. They are generally used to evaluate the child's overall health status, detect infections, identify vitamin deficiencies, and reveal conditions like anemia.
For babies born at term, a blood test can be conducted for iron deficiency between 9-12 months, and for those born prematurely, between 5-6 months.
It should be noted that the risk of high blood cholesterol does not only affect adults but can also occur in children. To prevent future heart and vascular diseases, cholesterol testing can be conducted at least twice between the ages of 9-11 and then 17-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What diseases does the newborn heel prick screening reveal?
Newborn heel prick screening can provide early diagnosis of some metabolic and hormonal diseases such as phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, biotinidase deficiency, and cystic fibrosis. Thanks to this test, diseases that do not yet show symptoms can be detected quickly, allowing necessary treatments to begin before permanent damage occurs.
When can the newborn hearing test be conducted?
The newborn hearing test is usually conducted within the first 48–72 hours after birth and can be completed briefly while the baby is sleeping. Early diagnosis of hearing loss is one of the crucial steps that support speech and language development.
How often should children have an eye examination?
The first eye examination can be conducted in the newborn period, and it is recommended to check again at six months, at one year old, and in the preschool period. These regular check-ups facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like strabismus and lazy eye.
Are developmental screening tests mandatory?
Developmental screening tests are important for closely monitoring children's development. Regular screenings help to identify delays in the mental, motor, and social areas at an early stage and assist in planning supportive programs.