Guidance

Newborn and infant physical examination: programme handbook

This document brings together all the guidelines that relate to the NHS newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) screening programme.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Details

The purpose of this handbook is to inform and support best clinical practice in the NHS newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) screening programme.

This handbook offers guidance on the physical examination for newborns, infants, and babies in neonatal units. It refers to the 4 NIPE screening elements:

  • eyes
  • heart
  • hips
  • testes

This publication was previously published by Public Health England, which closed on 30 September 2021.

Updates to this page

Published 4 April 2016
Last updated 1510 MayOctober 2025 + show all updates
  1. Added additional risk factor under section 12.4 in the handbook.

  2. Updated flowchart for the management of undescended testes to align with updates to the guidance made in March 2024.

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