Objective
To describe the characteristics of the heel prick test in newborns admitted
to the intensive care unit of a university hospital as well as to determine
whether maternal and fetal conditions could have affected the results of
this test.
Methods
Retrospective longitudinal study with a quantitative approach that evaluated
240 medical records. The data collected were analyzed by descriptive
statistical analysis.
Results
There was a predominance of pregnant women aged 20 to 34 years who had a
complete secondary education and who had more than six prenatal care visits.
Maternal complications or pathologies occurred in 60% of the mothers, and
most (67.5%) did not present any condition that could have affected the heel
prick test results. Most newborns were premature and exhibited low birth
weight. Approximately 90% of newborns exhibited conditions that could have
influenced the test, especially prematurity, parenteral nutrition and blood
transfusion. Of the 240 newborns, 25% had abnormal heel prick test results,
especially for cystic fibrosis and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Conclusion
There are maternal and neonatal conditions that can affect heel prick test
results, and therefore, their investigation is essential, aiming to guide
measures that promote mother and child health and consolidate neonatal
screening in this population.