The neonatal assessments involve an observation test for babies minutes after their birth, which was developed in 1952 and gives a rating on their health out of 10, known as the Agpar score.
But this test was based on white European babies, with some of its guidance to health professionals saying that baby’s skin should be “pink all over”.
The research, carried out by academics at Sheffield Hallam University and published by the NHS Race and Health Observatory, found several “reliability concerns” in tests used.
They also raise concerns that around the reliability of tests to detect jaundice as well as cyanosis, which causes a bluish-purple skin colour indicating decreased oxygen in red blood cells.
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