The safety of your infant is very important to Shands AGH. Infant abductions and attempted infant abductions occur many times each year in the United States. All three of our units -- the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby Unit -- are equipped with state-of-the-art infant security systems.

Infants wear an electronic bracelet from birth until time of discharge, which sends out a signal monitored by computers 24 hours a day. Our security officers respond to any questionable activity within minutes. The Mother/Baby Unit staff is trained in identification of possible abductors and remains vigilant 24 hours a day. Our staff members wear ID badges to assure parents that the right person is caring for their infant.

• Child Identification Program
• Metabolic screening tests
• Car-seat safety
• Related Safety links

Child Identification Program

We participate in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Child Identification Program, which gives parents or guardians the option of having their child’s DNA sample drawn while the baby is in the hospital. In the event of your child’s disappearance or involvement in an accident or natural disaster, his/her DNA sample would be available to law enforcement for identification purposes.

Metabolic screening tests

Florida State law requires that all newborn infants be tested for the following diseases after the infant has been on protein feedings for at least 24 hours and within 48 to 120 hours after the baby is born:

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
• Galactosemia
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Hemoglobinopathies (including Sickle Cell Trait)
• Hypothyroidism

If these diseases are not detected early on in the infant’s life, the result could be severe mental disability. Should an infant be discharged before 48 hours of age, the parents are responsible for ensuring a test is performed before 120 hours of age. Shands AGH’s Mother/Baby Unit will obtain this blood sample while your infant is a patient here by pricking your baby’s heel.

This blood sample also can be tested for sickle cell trait in infants who have a family history of sickle cell disease. The results of the screening will be sent to your baby's physician.

Car seat safety

All infants must leave the hospital in an approved child car seat. As a member of the Safe Kids Coalition, we ask that all car seats be brought up to the patient’s room for inspection by our trained staff. We encourage all patients to read their instruction manuals for their vehicle and their carseat before coming to the hospital.

You may need a new car seat if your current one is:

• is not approved for your infant’s height and weight.
• has been in any accident/crash.
• has been recalled.
• doesn’t fit properly in your car.
• is more than six years old.
• was obtained from a yard/garage sale or trash receptacle.

Related Safety links

• National Safe Kids Campaign

  This is the first national Web site dedicated to prevention of unintentional childhood injury. Provides latest news about child safety, as well as information on laws and regulations regarding safety issues.

• Alachua County Safe Kids Coalition

  This is the Alachua County Web site for Safe Kids.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  This Web site offers information on child passenger safety.

Information

For more information about Maternal/Child Services at Shands AGH, please call 352.733.0165.

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