Neonatal heel prick 65909 215997308 2008-05-30T16:48:13Z SmackBot 433328 Date the maintenance tags or general fixes {{Orphan|date=May 2008}} The '''neonatal heel prick''' is a common procedure for taking a blood sample from the heel of newborn [[infant]]s. A pinprick puncture is made in the heel of the infant's foot, and blood from the foot is soaked into pre-printed collection cards known as Guthrie cards.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s867619.htm Guthrie Cards], ''[[Catalyst (TV program)|Catalyst]]'' ([[ABC1]]), [[29 May]] [[2003]].</ref> The blood samples can be used for a variety of [[Genetic testing|genetic tests]], including: * [[Thyroid stimulating hormone]] (TSH) to detect [[hypothyroidism]] and hence prevent [[cretinism]]. * [[Trypsin]] to detect [[cystic fibrosis]]. * Detection of [[phenylketonuria]], an enzyme deficiency that can impair brain development. Other potential tests include: * A test for [[galactosemia]] It is recommended that the screening test be performed when the infant is between 48 and 72 hours of age. False positives and negatives can sometimes occur when the screening tests are performed before 48 hours.<ref>[http://www.health.vic.gov.au/genetics/nbs.htm Newborn screening guidelines], [[Government of Victoria]], [[13 December]] [[2007]].</ref> With genetic tests becoming more common, a wide variety of tests may use the blood drawn by this method. Many neonatal units (SCBUs) now use this method to carry out the daily blood tests (blood count, electrolytes) required to check the progress of ill neonates. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Midwifery]] [[Category:Pediatrics]]