Blood spot screening tests are carried out on newborn babies about a week after they are born, to identify any serious conditions that might be present.
Most babies won't have any of the conditions or problems that are screened for, but for the small number that do, the benefits of screening are enormous. Early treatment can improve the baby's health and prevent severe disability or even death.
Collecting the blood spots
A midwife will collect a sample of blood by pricking your baby’s heel using a special device and squeezing out a few drops of blood onto a card. The card is then sent off for analysis.
The heel prick may be uncomfortable and your baby may cry, but it's all over very quickly.
What is being screened for?
The blood spot screening test helps to identify a range of health conditions, including:
- sickle cell disease: an inherited blood disorder - treating babies will help prevent serious illness
- cystic fibrosis: a common inherited disorder that affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system
- phenylketonuria (PKU): a rare condition that can cause severe learning difficulties but can be treated once diagnosed
- congenital hypothyroidism: another rare condition caused by the thyroid gland not developing properly - treated babies can develop normally
- medium-chain acyl Co-A dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD): a rare and serious inherited disorder where the body cannot break down fat as well as usual - babies with MCADD develop normally but recognising the condition early enables parents to make sure they avoid serious illness
Getting the results
Most babies will have normal test results. This means they are not thought to have any of these conditions. A healthcare professional will usually let you know the screening result and record it in your baby’s personal child health record by the time your baby is six to eight weeks old.
If any of the tests return a positive result and your baby is thought to have one of these conditions, you will be told some time before your baby is six weeks old. Your baby may need further tests to confirm the results and you may be given an appointment with a specialist so that appropriate treatment can begin.
Read the answers to more questions about children’s health.
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