Preterm and term newborn: Primary investigations

The present overview is aimed at reporting the standard primary investigations that are mandatory in preterm and term newborns at admission to neonatal unit in the first hours after birth. Herein, the main neonatal screening tests for early detection of metabolic diseases are described as well as laboratory standard procedures (glycaemia, bilirubin, blood gas, infectious diseases analyses) monitoring parameters (vital signs recordings, blood and transcutaneous gas assessment, blood pressure recordings) and ultrasound pattern (cranial and cardiac).