Screening Tests for Infants

Although targeted screening of older infants may be important for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of certain conditions that may not have been discovered in the newborn period, there is currently insufficient evidence to support population screening for any of these conditions. However, for those infants with known risk factors, testing may be appropriate and include conditions such as iron deficiency, lead poisoning, Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV.

A physical screening programme is performed by physical examination, usually prior to 18 months of age, to check for normal growth and development.

Immunisation against a variety of diseases is also offered to infants. These diseases include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) – (DTP), Haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB), measles, mumps, rubella (German measles) - (MMR), polio and Group C meningococcus. Hepatitis B vaccine is offered to all babies born to hepatitis B positive mothers. Some of these are series of injections that are started before the age of one year
(See Government’s Immunisation schedule).

In the Republic of Ireland immunisation is offered against a variety of diseases. These include BCG tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus Influenza B), Polio, Hepatitis B (6 in 1), Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Meningitis, Mumps and Rubella (MMR). Some of these are a series of injections that are started before the age of one year.