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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: adc.2007.122465v1 93/5/F389    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in ADC Online Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Google Scholar Articles by Green, K Articles by Oddie, S PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Green, K Articles by Oddie, S Topic Collections Relevant Article

The value of the postnatal examination in improving child health

Bradford Neonatology, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK

Correspondence to:
S Oddie, Bradford Neonatology, Ward M1, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK; Sam.oddie{at}bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk

This paper reviews the evidence regarding whether a standardised examination in the newborn period can improve infant health. The review considers aspects of delivering such a service from timing and number of examinations through to who should perform examinations, and whether evidence supports current practice. Infants at higher risk of anomaly such as those born preterm are highlighted. Aspects of the examination itself are reviewed, such as detection of congenital heart disease, and the relatively poor detection rate which does not seem to be improving. Potential advantages of additional screening with pulse oximetry are covered. The paper also discusses screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip, which the UK national screening council is unsure of the benefit of, the difficulties of detecting all cases of cleft palate and problems with screening for the very important congenital cataract. The authors draw attention to the relative rarity of some conditions and reflected on how this complicates screening.