Newborn Screening (NBS)
WHAT IS IT?
Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) administers a screening program to test for over 25 rare but serious and treatable diseases in all babies born in Ontario. This test has to take place between 24 and 48 hours of life. You may also opt for Sickle Cell carrier testing and carriers of some other hemoglobin diseases (this testing is not automatic and must be requested separately). For more information, click here.
WHY IS IT GIVEN?
Babies who have these diseases usually seem well at birth, and best outcomes are achieved if they are detected and treated before symptoms develop.
HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
A few drops of blood from a heel prick are placed onto a filter paper and sent to the NSO lab at CHEO for testing. This small amount of blood is safe even for small babies.
BENEFITS
Early detection and treatment of these diseases can prevent severe health issues and ensure better outcomes.
The sample is kept at NSO for further testing if your baby develops health problems later in childhood and to help with the quality assurance of the program.
ARE THERE REASONS NOT TO GIVE IT?
These screening tests are the standard of care for all babies born in Ontario, however, you can opt out of these tests if you choose.
ALTERNATIVES
None. You may opt to decline the test. If the sample has already been collected, you may request your sample returned or destroyed after the testing is done.