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 | Medical History and Genetic Testing |
To evaluate a child for birth defects, healthcare providers not only look at a child's newborn screening test results, but also look at the prenatal history of the mother during the pregnancy with the child, the child's neonatal and pediatric history, and the results of any genetic testing the child has had.
- Prenatal history
Certain factors during pregnancy can affect the development of the baby. To assess these, various information is looked at, including the following:
- family medical history
- results of any prenatal testing
- personal medical history of the mother (her general health and any health condition she may have)
- any medications used during the pregnancy
- histories of past pregnancies
- vaccination status
- infection screening
- diet
- vitamin use
- smoking or other recreational drug use
- exposure to other harmful substances
- Neonatal history: Assessments for newborn babies
Each newborn baby is carefully checked at birth for signs of problems or complications. A complete physical assessment will be performed that includes every body system. Throughout the hospital stay, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers continually assess a baby for changes in health and for signs of problems or illness. These include the following:
- Apgar scoring (scores heart and respiratory rates, muscle tone, reflexes and color)
- birthweight
- measurements such as head circumference, abdominal circumference and length
- full physical examination
- hearing screening
- State newborn screening
- gestational assessment (determining whether a baby was born premature by looking at both physical maturity, neuromuscular maturity)
- Genetic testing
Genetic testing is available to test for a number of different types of chromosome abnormalities and single gene defects. Results of these studies are important for the evaluation of a child for birth defects and their causes.
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The information on this Web page is provided for educational purposes. You understand and agree that this information is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. You agree that Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital is not making a diagnosis of your condition or a recommendation about the course of treatment for your particular circumstances through the use of this Web page. You agree to be solely responsible for your use of this Web page and the information contained on this page. Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and information providers shall not be liable for any damages you may suffer or cause through your use of this page even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000
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