Final answer:
In an infant screening test, the first thing you draw is a blood sample. This is used for various tests, including the detection of antibodies in cases like hemolytic anemia and other conditions indicated by biomarkers in the plasma.
Additionally, the newborn undergoes the Apgar test, which assesses their immediate physical condition post-birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an infant screening test, the first sample typically drawn is a blood sample.
Newborn screening tests are critical for detecting genetic, hormonal, and metabolic conditions that can lead to severe health problems if not treated early.
Typically, a few drops of blood from the newborn's heel are collected on a special filter paper card known as a Guthrie card shortly after birth.
This blood is then used for various tests, including the screening for hemolytic anemia, where antibodies are detected attached to red blood cells.
It's also used in detecting certain conditions through various biomarkers in the blood plasma, as plasma samples can be obtained by centrifuging the blood and quenching with methanol for analysis.
Immediately after birth, the infant also undergoes other essential assessments, including the Apgar test, which evaluates five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration.
The umbilical cord, typically cut within seconds after birth, leaves a stub that will dry out and fall off, forming the navel.
The Apgar scores, taken at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, are critical for assessing the infant's transition from the womb and potential distress.
Blood samples from newborns can also be an indicator of environmental influences, such as the level of industrial pollution exposure, by testing for the presence of various compounds and pollutants.