Abstract

The newborn screening examination is completed before, or at, 72 hours of age. The newborn screening examination in England forms part of the wider systematic examination of the newborn and is usually undertaken at the same time. The infant screening examination is then offered at 6 to 8 weeks of age. The screening examination main aims are to:

• identify and refer all children born with congenital abnormalities of the eyes, heart, hips and (in males) testes, where these are detectable, within 72 hours of birth
• further identify those abnormalities that may become detectable by 6 to 8 weeks of age, at the NIPE infant screening examination
• reduce morbidity and mortality

In England this examination is performed by midwives and all midwives are now trained at undergraduate level to become newborn infant examination practitioners, taking over this role from medics for most babies. It is cost effective, efficient and women and families have high satisfaction levels. Establishment of this into midwives’ roles worldwide and midwifery become professionalised an established across the world.

The presentation will highlight the newborn and infant examination role and discuss why the role should be further implemented as part of the extend midwifery role. There are no significant barriers to suitably qualified, trained midwives carrying out the examinations. Developing the role of the midwife to include examination of the newborn is likely to result in improved quality of examinations and higher satisfaction from mothers. It would slightly reduce overall health service costs, with some increased resources needed by midwifery departments, and some decrease in resource needs of paediatric departments. We wish to share our experiences of this valuable role.