Overview

This test, called newborn blood spot screening, is the best way to find out if your baby has a certain treatable condition that you, your doctor, or your midwife might not know about. Screening is safe, quick and will be offered to you soon after your baby’s birth before you are discharged.

This test is different from those done during pregnancy. Using a quick heel poke, drops of blood are collected on a special card and tested for over 20 treatable conditions.

Screening is offered to all babies born in Alberta by Primary Care Alberta through the Alberta Newborn Screening Program (ANSP).

To learn from other families, their journey after their newborn has been diagnosed with a rare condition through the ANSP, view ANSP family experiences.

If you are a healthcare provider, visit Alberta Newborn Screening Program Information for Health Professionals.

Service Listing

Alberta Newborn Screening Program

Alberta-Wide

Conditions identified through early screening

Blood spot screening works to prevent health problems, improve newborn health and save lives of Alberta newborns through early diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions, including:

• Metabolic conditions that cause problems with how your body uses food to make and store energy.
• Endocrine conditions that cause problems with how your body makes hormones.
• Cystic fibrosis which causes problems with how you breathe and digest food.
• Sickle cell disease which affects your blood and causes damage to heart, lungs, and kidneys.
• Severe combined immunodeficiency which affects your ability to fight infections.
• Spinal muscular atrophy which causes muscle weakness, including weakness that gets worse over time (wasting).

For more information about the treatable conditions, view What conditions are screened for?

Frequently asked questions

Visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca to find out answers to the following questions:

• What is newborn blood spot screening?
• Why does my baby need to be screened?
• What if my baby needs more tests?
• What conditions are screened for?