Question
My baby is already three years old, and a friend told me that I should take him for a full-body check-up, just as a basic safeguard. He suggested doing a heel blood test, which would help him develop better in the future. I want to know what I should pay attention to before doing this test?
Answer
The heel blood test is typically performed on infants shortly after birth, primarily to rule out two congenital diseases: hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, which can lead to intellectual disabilities. Currently, it can be observed whether the baby shows any discomfort, and further formal checks can be conducted accordingly.