Sometimes children are seen after birth to have a congenital disease. In some cases it is important to know this as soon as possible to be able to start with the proper treatment. The participation of RIVM in a number of important research and screening programmes related to both the mother and newborns, makes the institute a good source of advice for treatment. 

Screening programmes for mother and child
National screening programmes have been set up in the Netherlands for prevention and detection of congenital diseases in children before and after birth. In the third month of pregnancy, women are given the chance to take a blood-typing test and a screening test for a number of infectious diseases. About the same time they may also take a screening test for the Down syndrome risk calculation. Finally, parents are offered the chance to have the so-called ‘heel prick’ carried out on the newborn shortly after birth. This a blood test to detect various, extremely serious, diseases, such as phenylketonuria. The RIVM also contributes to the realisation, introduction, improvement and evaluation of both new and existing screening programmes. 

Advising medical professionals on pregnancy
During pregnancy there are several factors that may influence the development of the unborn child. One of these is use of medicines. RIVM’s task then is to advise medical professionals on the use of medicines by the mother during pregnancy and breast-feeding.