Does my baby really need newborn blood spot screening again?
Needing to have the screen done again does not always mean that your baby has one of the conditions.
Sometimes, the newborn blood spot screen may have to be done again if:
- There was a problem with the blood spot card, like missing information on the card, too little blood on the card, or blood not being put on the card correctly
- There was a borderline newborn blood spot screen result. This means the results did not give a clear answer and another screen is needed to get clear results
Sometimes babies are born too small (less than 2000 grams) or too early (before 37 weeks) to properly detect some conditions. Another blood spot screen after a few weeks will help make sure test results are correct.
What conditions does newborn blood spot screening look for?
Newborn blood spot screening looks for treatable conditions that include:
- Metabolic conditions, which cause problems with how the body uses food to grow and develop.
- Endocrine conditions, which cause problems with how the body makes hormones.
- Cystic fibrosis, a condition that affects the lungs and digestive system.
- Sickle cell disease, a condition that affects the blood and causes damage to heart, lungs and kidneys.
- Severe combined immunodeficiency, a condition that has serious effects on the immune system.
What happens when my baby needs to have the newborn blood spot screen done again?
When your baby needs to have the newborn blood spot screen done again, your public health nurse or midwife will arrange for another screen as soon as possible. The screen can happen at a home visit, a clinic visit, a lab in your community, or the hospital if you haven’t brought your baby home yet.
How is my baby’s blood collected during the newborn blood spot screen?
Your baby’s blood is collected quickly and safely. The healthcare provider doing the screening will:
- Poke your baby’s heel using a small plastic object called a lancet.
- Collect a few drops of your baby’s blood onto a blood spot card. (Sometimes, another poke is needed to get the right amount of blood.)
- Put a cotton gauze on your baby’s heel to stop the bleeding.
How can I help my baby during the heel poke?
You can help your baby by:
- Keeping them warm.
- Comforting them.
- Holding them close against your skin.
- Breastfeeding your baby during and after the heel poke often helps.
What happens after the newborn blood spot screen is done?
After the newborn blood spot screen is done, the card goes to the Newborn Metabolic Screening Lab in Edmonton for testing.
The results become part of your baby’s health record. Your baby’s birth hospital and doctor or midwife will get the results.
How will I find out my baby’s newborn blood spot screen results?
You can talk to your doctor or midwife about your baby’s results. If your doctor or midwife does not contact you about your baby’s blood spot screen results, it means the results are normal.
Your public health nurse, doctor, or midwife will contact you if your baby needs to have the screen done again. Your doctor, midwife, or a specialist will contact you if your baby needs more tests.
What will the newborn blood spot screen results show?
Newborn blood spot screen results show:
If your baby’s screen is normal.If your baby needs to have the screen done again.If your baby needs more tests to find out if they have one of the treatable conditions.What does a normal newborn blood spot screen result mean?
A normal newborn blood spot screen means it’s very unlikely that your baby has one of the treatable conditions. Your baby doesn’t need the screen again.
What does it mean if my baby needs more tests?
If your baby needs to have more tests, it doesn’t mean they have one of the treatable conditions. It means your baby has a higher chance of having one of the treatable conditions, and your baby needs more tests to find out for sure. If your baby needs more tests, a specialist will contact you to explain what will happen.
If the tests show that your baby does have a treatable condition, they’ll get the support they need to live a healthy life. They may also need a change in diet and may need to take special medicine.
What else can I do to take care of my baby?
Screening only looks for certain treatable conditions. It doesn’t check for any other health problems. So it’s important that your baby sees a doctor, midwife, or public health nurse regularly. If you’re worried about the way your baby is growing or if you think your baby isn’t well, contact your doctor, midwife, or public health nurse. You can also call Health Link at 811. And always make sure to take good care of yourself, so you can care for your baby.
What if I have more questions about newborn blood spot screening and Alberta’s Newborn Metabolic Screening Program?
Talk to your public health nurse, doctor, or midwife if you have any questions about newborn blood spot screening or Alberta’s Newborn Metabolic Screening Program.
