Required Screenings
Important Health Screenings for Your Baby
Prevention and early detection of potential health risks is an important way to give your baby a healthy start in this world.
Within a few hours of birth, all newborns at MyMichigan Medical Centers in Alma and Midland receive these preventive treatments required by the state of Michigan:
- Vitamin K shots – to ensure that their blood has a normal ability to clot, reducing the risk of serious abnormal bleeding.
- Erythromycin eye ointment – to protect against conjunctivitis, pneumonia and other conditions.
About 24 hours after birth, babies in our maternity centers receive a hearing screening and a screening for potential hereditary disorders. Both tests are required by the state of Michigan. To test for hereditary disorders, a blood sample is taken by pricking the baby's heel and is analyzed for 48 different disorders, including:
- Biotinidase deficiency
- Citrullinemia and Argininosuccinic Aciduria
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Galactosemia
- Homocystinuria
- Hypothyroidism
- Maple Syrup Urine Disease
- Medium-chain Acyl-coenzyme A Dehydrogenase deficiency
- Phenylketonuria
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Others
These screenings ensure early detection and prompt treatment of hearing problems or hereditary disorders, if present. Your physician will receive the results of these tests from the state and can notify you if any re-testing or follow up action is needed. It is important to know the full name, address and phone number of the physician or provider who will care for your baby after discharge, so that these results can be shared with that person. Please bring this information with you to the hospital when you arrive for delivery.
For more information, visit the Michigan Department of Community Health website:
Michigan Newborn Hearing Screening and Hereditary Disorders Programs
