Screening Tests and Phototherapy

Different kinds of screening tests are done for rare disorders and illnesses like thalassemia, hypothyroidism, and sickle cell anemia (a genetic disorder) – which can be due to metabolism issues, protein digestion issues, or genetic disorders. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease caused by a defect in a gene. A person will be born with sickle cell disease only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father. A person who inherits just one gene is healthy and said to be a "carrier" of the disease. It is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a point mutation in the hemoglobin beta gene (HBB) found on chromosome 11p15.

Phototherapy is a process that involves blue light (at a certain wavelength), and as soon as it is shown to the baby, it causes different photochemical processes to occur which causes insoluble bilirubin to become soluble. A labor room comprises different devices and machines. The NST machine is one where the heart rate of the baby and contraction are monitored. It has 2 probes (the upper probe is for TOCO and the other 1 checks the heartbeat of the baby). It works on the basis of ultrasonic waves. There is also an infusing set, which controls the rate at which fluid is getting administered into the body. A syringe pump - controls the rate at which fluid is getting administered into the body; pushes a fixed volume of fluid needed for the mother. A suction pump/ vacuum is used for extreme secretion cases. An oxygen valve where the volume of oxygen is measured in liter/ hour (up to 12 liters). It has pediatrics and obstetrics sections, and the pediatric section consists of an intubation tube, weighing machine, cardiac monitor, etc.