Most parents-to-be spend nine months meticulously monitoring their baby’s development with antenatal ultrasounds. However, few realize the need to continue such vigilance after birth, especially with critical screenings like hip ultrasound. LifeScan.mt is stepping up to fill this gap with its newly branded Neonatal Ultrasound Clinic, an initiative aiming to make neonatal scans an essential part of every newborn baby’s health journey.
“During pregnancy, parents prioritize scans to ensure their baby’s growth is on track. But after delivery, the focus often shifts entirely to vaccinations and check-ups, with vital tests such as hip or spine ultrasound being overlooked,” says Dr. Andre Gatt, consultant radiologist and co-founder of LifeScan.mt.
Conditions such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), which can lead to lifelong mobility issues, are preventable with early detection. “In many European countries such as Italy, a hip ultrasound is sought routinely for all newborns. However, in Malta, there is very little awareness of this condition,” he explains.
The LifeScan Neonatal Ultrasound Clinic is poised to change this narrative. Designed to address Malta’s evolving neonatal health needs, the private clinic offers advanced imaging services, including hip, abdomen, brain, and spine ultrasounds for newborns. The clinic also collaborates closely with p ediatricians, orthopaedics & physiotherapists, ensuring a streamlined process from diagnosis to treatment, if needed.
The clinic is committed not only to delivering diagnostic excellence but also to raising awareness about the importance of neonatal scans. “While parents readily trust ultrasounds during pregnancy, some conditions, like hip dysplasia and spina bifida occulta, cannot be detected before birth. After birth, doctors may suggest ultrasound scans if there’s a concern, but these conditions can often go unnoticed during routine clinical examinations. This is where newborn ultrasound screening plays a crucial role.
Drawing parallels with newborn hearing tests, which only recently became routine in Malta, Dr. Gatt advocates for newborn ultrasound to follow suit. “It may not be feasible for government hospitals to offer free screening for all newborns, but this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to increase awareness among parents about the importance of seeking these scans,” he asserts.
The clinic’s tagline, “Caring for you from the Start,” reflects its holistic approach to neonatal care. Parents visiting the clinic can expect a stress-free experience, with appointments easily booked online, state-of-the-art equipment, and a compassionate team ready to address their concerns.
As 2025 marks the official launch of the LifeScan Neonatal Ultrasound Clinic, Dr. Gatt and his team hope to inspire a shift in Malta’s approach to newborn health. “Every baby deserves the best start in life. With early detection through neonatal ultrasound, we can make that vision a reality.”
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