Newborn metabolic screening tests for specific metabolic disorders using blood from your newborn's heel at 48 hours after birth or as soon as possible thereafter.

Metabolic disorders are rare inherited conditions where pathways which produce certain proteins in a human malfunction.  They are not easily detected without screening.

These pathways are like assembly lines in a human cell.  A blockage at any point along the assembly line can lead to a build-up of toxic chemicals in the cell or a lack of an important protein or enzyme in the body.  This can lead to an illness that is often irreversible.

Many of the chemicals that build up in a cell as a result of a metabolic disorder can cause ill health, learning disabilities or death.

We can diagnose and treat many metabolic disorders. 

Treatment often takes the form of a special diet to reduce the amount of chemicals building up in the body.

Once the screening is complete, the blood spot card is either stored in secure storage or returned to families

For more information, see the pamphlet Your Newborn Baby's Blood Test and talk with your LMC.