Scrap neonatal tests based on white skin, says NHS body

CALL FOR CHANGE: Tests used to determine the health of newborn babies are out of date and ignore the needs of Black and minority babies says NHS body

Historically the assessment was developed based on white European babies and implemented regardless of diverse populations and babies with Black and varying skin tones.It comes as the independent health body announces the results of a commissioned review called ‘Review of neonatal assessment and practice in Black, Asian and minority ethnic newborns: Exploring the Apgar score, the detection of cyanosis, and jaundice’.

The report was officially launched at the House of Commons yesterday at an event hosted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP. Systematic reviews were carried out screening around 200 and including over 80 documents on neonatal assessment and practice including but not limited to – the appearance component of Apgar scores, detection of cyanosis and the identification of jaundice.

Findings from the reviewinclude 56 studies with only six studies related to Apgar scores, three considered the detection of lack of oxygen and the remainder the detection of jaundice. She added: “This was extremely intensive work and although it doesn’t provide all the answers, it certainly highlights research, policy, practice and educational gaps as a first step towards ensuring commonly used neonatal assessments are sensitive to the needs of our super-diverse communities.”

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