Newborn Screening

Newborn screening is a state public health program that test newborn babies for serious, but treatable conditions in the first few days after a baby is born. Babies who test positive for treatable conditions are able to start treatment before harmful effect occur.

Baby’s First Test has relaunched their website, creating a new, engaging platform for newborn screening education.

Do you have a child under the age of 1?

If you do, we would like to invite you to participate with the Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP), a free benefit program Michigan women with Medicaid health insurance. Click here for more information.

It just takes seconds for a baby to suffocate!

Babies dying before their first birthday have become a national crisis. More than 130 Michigan children died due to unsafe sleep practices in 2013 and these deaths are 100% preventable. Take the time to learn how to put your baby to sleep safely each and every time before it’s too late. For more information on safe sleep, visit the following websites:

• http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_7124_57836—,00.html

• https://www.allegiancehealth.org/wellness/article/11559 

What is a well-child visit?

Well-child care visits are important opportunities for your doctor to monitor your child’s development and screen for problems and risk factors.

Each visit includes:

• A complete physical examination.

• Height and weight, and other important information is recorded and considered.

• Hearing, vision, and other tests will be a part of some visits.

• Laboratory tests including lead screening (children under 3 years or as needed for older children)

• Medical referrals to specialists, if needed.

How often does my child need a well-child visit?

• Birth to 15 months-6 visits are needed

Why should I schedule well-child visit appointments?

Because childhood is a time of rapid growth and change, well-child visits will help your child’s doctor to assess changes in their general health, growth and development.

Why should I have my child immunized?

To insure that your child does not catch a preventable disease, it is important that you schedule an appointment with the doctor to make sure that your child receives the necessary immunizations.

Why should my child be tested for lead poisoning?

Lead, a naturally occurring substance, can be toxic when taken into the body through breathing, eating, or drinking. It can affect every part of your child’s body. At high levels, it can cause death. All children age 12 months and 24 months need to be tested for lead poisoning.

Your child’s doctor will order a lead screening test during well-child visits.

> Healthy Children Visit Schedule

> Alliance for Immunization in Michigan

> I vaccinate

> Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:

What causes lead poisoning?

Children are most often poisoned by lead dust and lead paint in older homes built before 1978. Lead dust can come from renovations of older homes that originally used lead-based paint, opening and closing windows, and through normal wear and tear of painted areas. Lead dust settles to the floor and gets on children’s hands and toys. It enters their bodies when they put their hands or toys into their mouths.

How can I tell if my child has been lead poisoned?

A lead-poisoned child may seem healthy or have any of the following signs:

• Learning and behavior problems

• Tiredness

• Headaches

• Hearing problems

• Weight loss

• Hyperactivity

• Irritability

When should my child be tested for lead poisoning?

Many children have blood lead tests as part of their regular care by a doctor or clinic. Children should be tested for lead poisoning at one and two years of age.

What else can I do to protect my child?

• Wash your child’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.

• Test the soil your child plays in.

• Make sure children eat healthy foods and snacks such as lean meat, chicken, turkey and fish, milk, low-fat cheese, yogurt, broccoli, collard and turnip greens, oranges or grapefruits, orange or grapefruit juice, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. Low-fat milk and foods are best for children over the age of two.

• Have your home checked for lead hazards.

• Keep floors, windowsills and other surfaces dust and dirt free.

• Take off shoes when entering the house.

• Talk to your landlord about fixing peeling or chipping paint.

• Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating.

• Don’t use a power sander, open flame torch, and heat gun above 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, dry scraper, or sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.

• Use very cold tap water for drinking and cooking.

• Learn how to remove lead-based paint safely.

How can I prevent or remove lead from my home?

Take steps now to protect your children from lead poisoning-call your local health department for information regarding how to remove the lead in your home, or contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lead Hazard Remediation Program at (517) 335-9390.

For more information about lead, visit these websites:

> http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Brogan2002ProgramBrochure_71285_7.pdf

> http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm

> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/leadpoisoning.html

Each child develops in his or her own way, but you know your child best. Call your child’s doctor or nurse if you have questions.

Activities to promote your infants health:

• Make regular visits to your infant’s doctor to obtain physicals.

• Obtain immunizations and other services for your child at schedule intervals.

• Keep your child’s immunization record in a safe place with other important papers.

• Keep your infant away from tobacco smoke because it may cause asthma.

• Provide infant with toys and games that involve all five senses.

• Play, read and talk to your baby every day.

• Sing nursery rhymes to your infant.

• Introduce new foods gradually.

• Consider breastfeeding your baby – click here to learn about breastfeeding: MyPyramid for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

Activities to keep your infant safe:

• Use a rear-facing car seat for your infant on every ride. Buckle him/her up in the backseat, away from the air bag.

• Put away small objects and things that break.

• Tape electric cords to the wall; put covers on outlets.

• Put safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

• Store poisons and pills in a locked cabinet.

• Do not leave infant in bathtub alone-drowning can occur quickly and in a few inches of water.

• Do not leave infant on bed, sofa or changing table.

• ALWAYS put your baby to sleep on his/her back in its own bed to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Also avoid putting soft bedding or toys in the crib.

• Avoid giving an infant foods such as grapes that may cause choking.

For more information about what you can do to help your child stay healthy, visit websites:

> http://www.cdc.gov/parents/infants/index.html

> http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/baby/Pages/default.aspx