My labor and delivery experience last October was such a blur after I got induced that I barely remember my daughter’s newborn screening and preventive treatments. What I do remember is wanting her to get the routine care recommended by our doctors and nurses.
This moment on the maternity ward isn’t as straightforward for everyone – many pediatricians are concerned about a wave of misinformation and worry sweeping across TikTok and other internet channels that is prompting many parents to refuse routine care for newborns, including:
- Hepatitis B vaccines.
- Vitamin K shots.
- Erythromycin eye ointment.
- And newborn screening tests.
What are the recent fears, and what are the factual benefits of each of these care options? Dr. Megan Collins, a mother and pediatrician with Novant Health Dilworth Pediatrics, digs in.
Newborn blood screening
What is it? This screening involves a heel-prick blood test and checks for serious but treatable genetic and congenital conditions including sickle cell disease (a blood disorder), cystic fibrosis (a lung disease), congenital hypothyroidism (a thyroid condition) and PKU (a condition affecting brain development). Tests that check hearing and heart health for any concerns are also typically included.
What are some parents worried about? There’s a fear that newborn screenings can cause unnecessary worry and anxiety with false positives. There’s also a fear of the government or medical facilities storing DNA after blood samples are tested.
Why can they stop worrying? False positives can happen for a variety of reasons, such as when NICU babies receive extra nutrition that can change lab results. But the care team is often able to get an accurate follow-up test result within days to weeks. If a baby truly does have a condition that needs to be treated, then this testing can make sure it’s caught early.
As for storage of the blood samples, the length of time does vary across states. And while this has been controversial, samples are stored for
Bottom line: Catching treatable conditions early is far better than waiting for symptoms to show. And there’s no evidence that the blood test puts the baby at any risk.
Your child deserves the best care.
Hepatitis B vaccine
What is it? This vaccine offers protection against a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.
What are some parents worried about? Some parents worry about their baby being in pain or discomfort from the injection itself. They also worry that the vaccine is unnecessary because hepatitis B is stereotypically spread through unsterilized needles and sex.
Why can they stop worrying? Babies can be exposed to hepatitis B during birth from their mothers or from coming in contact with infected blood or body fluids on surfaces or objects, so this is recommended for all newborns.
Also, the CDC reports that 1 in 2 people don’t know they have it and can unknowingly transmit the virus. And, if hepatitis is contracted before the age of 5, it’s highly likely to become a long-term disease. Also, Hepatitis B virus infection can cause cancer, particularly liver cancer and some digestive system cancers.
As for injection pain, discomfort is short and babies are often so sleepy during this period that they may go right back to sleep.
Vitamin K injection
What is it? Vitamin K levels are low at birth, so this helps blood clot adequately to prevent dangerous bleeding in the brain or other parts of the body like the abdomen. Once babies experience a serious bleed, it can be too late for the injection to be helpful. One in five babies with a vitamin K deficit bleed dies.
What are some parents worried about? Some parents worry about their baby being in pain or discomfort from the injection itself, and they worry about preservatives in the shot.
Why can they stop worrying? Evidence shows that they are protecting their child – newborns who don’t get the shot are
Birth can cause physical trauma and bleeds, and babies are at higher risk of head injury in the event of an accident (like getting dropped) because their soft skulls are still growing and don’t fully protect their brains yet. As for preservatives, the
Erythromycin eye ointment
What is it? A small amount of ointment that is squeezed into each eye to spread while the baby blinks. It helps prevent eye infections that might be passed during birth such as sexually transmitted infections; infections can cause vision problems. Even if a mother tested negative for STIs early on in pregnancy, there’s a possibility that one was contracted later in pregnancy.
What are some parents worried about? There’s a fear that this ointment can blur the baby’s vision, which could also get in the way of connecting and bonding.
Why can they stop worrying? Babies have blurry vision at birth anyway – their eyes undergo a lot of developmental changes during the first six months of life. The ointment should only increase blurriness
In terms of interfering with bonding, the ointment doesn’t seem to cause discomfort, and babies may rely on other senses for bonding. For example, skin-to-skin contact is one of the most important steps parents can take to improve bonding and feeding.
If you have questions or concerns about the newborn screening and preventive treatments routinely provided at birth, talk to your OB-GYN or the pediatrician you plan to bring your child to. You should have one established by this point – it’s recommended that babies have a newborn visit with a pediatrician within
At the first visit, you will review everything that happened during pregnancy and delivery. You and your pediatrician will discuss how your baby is eating and sleeping, and address any questions or concerns that have come up since leaving the hospital. Your baby will also receive a thorough physical exam. Now all that’s left is navigating the online world of opinions around baby gear.
