Human blood can be divided into four types: A, B, AB, and O.  Determining the blood type is important before receiving donated blood cells or organs.  Combining non-matching blood types may cause the blood to clump together.  These clumps can become lodged in small blood vessels, causing decreased blood flow to important organs.  If the clumped blood cells block larger vessels, the result can be a stroke, heart attack, ischemia of tissues (lack of blood), or death.  The reason for the incompatibility of blood types relies on the fact that blood cells contain molecules on the surface that react with antibodies.  People with type A blood have antibodies to type B blood (and vice versa).  These antibodies attach to incompatible blood, connecting the blood cells into clumps.  People with type AB blood don't have antibodies to either type A or B blood and can receive either.  Type O blood can be given to people with any blood type.  There are minor blood antigens that also play a role.  Rh factor is a minor blood antigen which is signified by the term "positive" (if Rh factor is present) and "negative" (if Rh factor is absent).

Your baby's first evaluation by a physician is a major step for ensuring a smooth transition from the hospital to the baby's new home.  A thorough history and physical exam are necessary for determining if the infant is ready for the "real world."  Many severe medical problems are not immediately apparent in the newborn nursery.  Your physician must pay close attention to clues that may indicate a problem that may develop after the baby is sent home from the hospital.  Often the mother is recovering from the delivery and is too tired and distracted to fully evaluate her infant.

Hip dysplasia is a group of disorders that affect the joint between the pelvis and the femur in newborn infants. In most cases there is only mild looseness of the hip joint. However some infants may be severely affected, having total dislocation of one or both of these joints. Hip dysplasia occurs in approximately 5 to 20 out of 1000 infants at birth.  All infants should be checked shortly after birth for instability of the hip joint. If the diagnosis is missed shortly after birth, it may be more difficult to treat the disorder later. Hip dysplasia can be discovered by a physical exam.  Ultrasound of the hip joints may be useful also. Treatment of the hip dysplasia involves the use of a harness for several weeks or longer.