Pre-term birth is a common occurrence. And, premature babies may come with some complications. But don’t worry! With the advancement of medical sciences, many of these complications can be prevented. Your premature baby would generally be moved to the NICU after birth to avoid any kind of infections. If in case, your hospital does not have the facility of NICU, you will have to shift to a different one.
While such a period is sensitive and causes anxiety, you will have to cope up with this scenario with a lot of strength and make sure your baby undergoes every test required. This helps ensure they are healthy and safe. Below is a list of probable tests that your premature baby may have to undergo:
Blood Tests
Blood tests provide essential information about your baby’s body, which helps diagnose and treat any possible issues early.
- Soon after he is admitted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), the baby will undergo a test for blood gases. This will help understand if the baby needs ventilation.
- It helps to check if he is anaemic. When the liver can’t remove bilirubin (a yellowish substance in the blood) from the blood, it can result in Jaundice
- Blood tests help to check the functioning of the liver and kidney and to find out the blood sugar level of the baby.
- It determines whether your baby has any infection and helps treat it.
Urine Tests
Urine tests can tell a great deal about a baby’s overall condition. It will help ensure whether or not the kidney is functioning properly and in case the baby has an infection.
Heart
His heart rate and blood pressure will be checked quite often to understand the functioning of the heart. He will also have to undergo Echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart to check the heart’s functioning.
Overall Scan
Your baby will have to undergo an ultrasound scan to check abdominal organs and the gastrointestinal tract. The scan will also help understand if the kidney and liver have any kind of infections.
Vision & Hearing Tests
An ophthalmologist may examine your baby’s eyes and vision to check for any problems in the retina. Premature babies are at high risk of hearing disorders. So, he may have to undergo a common hearing test and the doctor will recommend any follow-ups, if necessary.
Over and above this, your baby may have to undergo MRI, if it seems necessary. While you may be worried, you need to trust your doctors and believe that your baby is in safe hands.
