Newborn metabolic screening is important because a baby with one of these illnesses will appear perfectly healthy and by the time symptoms are visible, irreparable damage may have occurred.  Damage to your newborn includes mental retardation or sometimes, death.

Newborn metabolic screening enables rare, serious problems (disorders) that can be helped with a special diet or other treatment to be picked up early and treated. During your pregnancy, your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) will give you the information leaflet - Your Newborn Baby's Blood Test - and will talk to you about newborn metabolic screening. They will ask to take a few drops of your newborn's blood from their heel. The blood is for tests that could save your newborn's life or prevent serious physical or mental problems. 

For more information on midwives see the NZ College of Midwives website.