Neonatal bloodspot screening involves taking a small blood sample obtained by pricking a baby's heel. The blood is placed on special filter paper (formerly called the Guthrie card) and sent for analysis. The test is offered to all newborn babies in the UK and is usually carried out by the midwife when the baby is 5–8 days old. It is part of the national child health promotion programme. This article introduces the neonatal bloodspot screening test and describes the features of the important diseases that are currently screened for.
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References
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