Do not refuse newborn heel-prick screening or hearing screening

One heel-prick blood draw and one hearing test can find hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, and hearing loss while the child still looks completely normal. By the time symptoms show, damage to intellect can no longer be undone.

Cost

Free in most areas, or a few dozen yuan. Some expanded items you pay yourself. One heel prick after the child is born

Benefit

Article 3 of the Administrative Measures for Newborn Disease Screening: “National newborn disease screening covers neonatal inherited metabolic diseases such as congenital hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, and hearing impairment.” These conditions share one point: early on there is no visible abnormality; once symptoms are obvious, intellectual damage is already irreversible. Early detection and early intervention work well — thyroid hormone replacement, special formula milk, hearing aids, or cochlear implants. Article 10 requires that when a screen is positive, the facility promptly notify the guardian to seek confirmatory diagnosis

Notes

Article 11 requires that before screening, the items, conditions, methods, sensitivity (how many cases can be found), and fees be told to the guardian truthfully, with signed consent. So you will get an informed-consent form. Before signing, see clearly which conditions are nationally required and which are self-pay add-ons. A positive first screen is not a confirmed diagnosis; under Article 10 the facility will notify you to take the child for confirmation — do not fall apart at this step. If the first hearing screen is not passed, go for the repeat screen as notified; do not decide on your own that “the child can hear, so it is fine”

Sources · 1

1. 卫生部 (2009). 新生儿疾病筛查管理办法（卫生部令第 64 号，第三、十、十一条）. gov.cn/gongbao/content/2009/content_1371363.htm