HEALTH PROMOTION

Screening tests are required for the following conditions:
- Inborn errors of metabolism and heart diseases. The tests should be carried out with a dried blood spot sample (heel prick), within 24 to 36 hours of birth. The number and type of diseases that should be screened depends on the screening package offered in each country.
- Critical congenital heart disease. This should be tested with pulse oximetry within 24 hours of birth.
Neonates requiring supplementary oxygen should be screened after 24 hours of being clinically stable, in ambient air.

Screening tests evaluate different health conditions before newborns are discharged from the care center. These tests, or screenings, allow the diagnosis of neurometabolic or structural diseases, such as congenital heart defects or hip dislocation.

INFLUENZA
•Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza illness and its complications; so are their infants.
•Influenza vaccines are effective in preventing infection and reducing illness severity in the mother and the newborn. Influenza vaccines have been used for decades and their safety has been well documented. Communication strategies that encourage influenza vaccination is of utmost importance in order to promote its application.

Tetanus is a life-threatening noncommunicable disease caused by a potent neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.
Neonatal tetanus can be prevented through vaccination of women before or during pregnancy, which protects the mother and the baby through a transfer of tetanus antibodies. Hygienic childbirth practices are also important to prevent neonatal and maternal tetanus (NNT).

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a leading cause of human disease and death, particularly in developing countries.
Worldwide, TB is intimately linked to poverty, making the control of TB a matter of justice and human rights.
In some areas with a high burden of TB, existing strategies for TB control cannot keep pace with the rising number of cases of TB occurring in parallel with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Emerging mycobacterial drug resistance further complicates the situation.

Maternal and neonatal immunization refers to immunization prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during the post-partum period that is intended to provide protection to both the mother and her child.
This is a critical concept, as neonates and premature infants are particularly vulnerable to infections with vaccine-preventable diseases. Additionally, their immature immune systems cannot mount protective immune responses to specific vaccine antigens until several weeks or months after birth. This creates a gap during which newborns are extremely vulnerable.

For all neonates it is recommended topical ocular prophylaxis for the prevention of gonococcal (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and chlamydial (Chlamydia trachomatis) ophthalmia neonatorum.

The following are recommendations to consider when hospital discharge after neonatal admission, and even if the baby was born healthy and at term:
· avoid exposing the patient to crowds of people;
· avoid passive exposure to smoke from parents and other family members;
· limit contact between newborns and infected people as much as possible.
If parents and close caregivers present signs of flu or a cold:
· increase personal hygiene precautions, including hand hygiene;
· put a mask or a handkerchief over the mouth and nose while caring for newborns;

To reduce transmission of respiratory viruses during rooming-in and after hospital discharge, provide guidance to health professionals and family members on the following precautions:
• health professionals: disinfect hands before and after contact with patients.
• isolate patients hospitalized with suspicion of respiratory infection, with precautions that include:
· hand washing before and after contact with patients and their personal items;
· use of gloves and apron for contact with patients;

Mothers with normal babies (including those born by caesarean section) should stay with them in the same room day and night, from the moment they come to their room after delivery (or from when they were able to respond to their babies in the case of caesareans) except for periods of up to an hour for hospital procedures.
This practice rooming-in should start no later than one hour after normal vaginal deliveries. Normal postpartum mothers should have their babies with them or in cots by their bedside unless separation is indicated for medical reasons.