Question

My baby is three years old now, and a friend told me that I should take him for a comprehensive check-up as a basic precaution. He suggested doing a heel blood test to ensure better development in the future. I want to know what I should be aware of before undergoing this test?

Answer

The heel blood test is a screening test that babies undergo shortly after birth, primarily to rule out hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, two congenital disorders that can lead to intellectual disabilities in babies. It is important to monitor for any discomfort in the baby and conduct regular checks based on the situation.