What is newborn blood spot screening?

Newborn blood spot screening is the best way to find out if your baby has a treatable condition that you, your doctor, or your midwife might not know about.

Newborn blood spot screening helps your doctor or midwife find conditions that can:

• Be treated early to prevent health problems.
• Improve your baby’s health.
• Maybe even save your baby’s life.

What happens during newborn blood spot screening?

Newborn blood spot screening has 3 steps:

1. Collecting a few blood drops from a heel poke.
2. Testing the blood spots for certain treatable conditions.
3. Helping your baby get other testing and treatment if they need it.

When should newborn blood spot screening happen?

The best time for the newborn blood spot screen is when your baby is between 24 and 72 hours old. Ideally, the newborn blood spot screen happens at the hospital before your baby goes home.