Heel prick and hearing test

In the first week after your child is born, the obstetrician will administer a heel prick, taking a few drops of blood for use in tests screening for serious medical conditions.

Early testing is important in view of prevention and possible containment. All children born in The Netherlands are examined in this way.

Your child’s hearing is screened at the infant welfare centre two to four weeks after birth. The screening determines whether your child’s hearing is adequate for normal speech and language development.