Gulf Coast Family's primary purpose is to encourage families along the Gulf Coast by providing worthwhile information that deals with family life right here in the Tampa Bay area.
Q&A with Dr. JayQuestion: My 9 year old son was playing at a park with some wooded areas. He started itching his legs the next day and now the rash is very red. I am afraid it is poison ivy. What is the best remedy?
Question: My newborn daughter has just had her heel pricked and some blood collected and sent to the state. Why are they doing that? Dr. Jay: The nurses have collected some blood and placed it a blotter and sent to the state for the Infant Metabolic Screening Test. Some people call it the PKU test after one of the tests that are on it. It is a state requirement to do this test. The tests that are on it are different for every state but in general, are very similar. In essence, they are testing your child for diseases that cannot be detected right away but can be deadly if not detected. The most common tests are for thyroid disease and diseases of the blood cell hemoglobin such as Sickle Cell disease. The newest test that has just been added within the last two years is the test for Cystic Fibrosis. When the results are in, if there is anything wrong or unusual, you will get a letter from the state letting you know that you must get further testing to confirm the screening test. Your pediatrician will also get a letter and will also know that further testing is needed. If you have not heard for several weeks about the test, do not be worried because if the tests were negative, the state does not immediately contact you or your doctor. In general, no news is good news but please ask your pediatrician if you have not heard back in a month. Gulf Coast Family Publications - Encouraging families along the Gulf Coast in Pinellas County |