Postnatal Screening and Immunizations

While in the hospital, newborns have screenings and immunizations to help them get the healthiest possible start at life.

Postnatal screenings

Newborn metabolic screening: Illinois requires that all newborn babies be tested for certain rare diseases. These are all inherited diseases and some can cause brain damage if not treated in the first few weeks of life. We'll give you a pamphlet from the state that explains in detail the broad classes of metabolic diseases covered in the testing.
Newborn hearing screening: As of January 1, 2003, the state requires newborns to have a hearing screening before they go home. We'll give you a pamphlet that explains this procedure. Results are sent to the state as well as to your pediatrician.
In the northwest suburbs, car seat testing is required for:
- Any infant born before 37 weeks gestation
- Any infant with a condition that may place them at risk for 02 desaturation or apnea
- Infants with hypotonia (Down syndrome, etc.) or micrognathia (Pierre Robin, etc.)
- Any infant with a discharge weight less than 2000 grams
- Term infants at risk for obstructive apnea, bradycardia, or hypoxemia
- Infants with prenatal exposure to opioids
- Any infant with an abnormal EKG result
- Any infant, who required 02 supplementation or therapy, admitted to the SCN/ICN
- Any infant with observed apnea or desaturation while hospitalized

Hepatitis B: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the Hepatitis B immunization series for infants.
Vaccinations for mothers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women who have not been vaccinated with tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis in the last two years receive the Tdap vaccination as soon as possible after delivery and before leaving the hospital. If you have not had the Tdap vaccine within the past two years, you will be asked if you'd like to receive it before you leave the hospital.