Heel prick test
The heel prick test is a simple procedure performed in the first 48 to 72 hours after birth, where a small drop of blood is collected from your newborn's heel using a tiny lancet. The blood is absorbed onto a special card and sent to a laboratory to screen for metabolic and genetic conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, and other disorders that can cause serious problems if left untreated. The discomfort is brief, and your baby may cry for a moment. Feeding your baby just before the test and holding them skin-to-skin during the procedure can help them stay calm.
What This Means for You
Understanding Heel prick test is an important part of your first days journey. In your baby's first year, you will hear this term from your paediatrician and in parenting communities. Knowing what it means helps you respond quickly and confidently.
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In Singapore, the heel prick test is part of the Expanded Newborn Screening Programme and is usually done before you leave the hospital. If your baby was born at home or in a birthing centre, arrange the test with KKH or your paediatrician within the first few days.
Related Terms
Source: https://medlineplus.gov/infantandnewborncare.html
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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