In my last blog post I posted about new born screening including a list of some of the diseases and disorders screened for at birth with new born screening. Today is part 2 to that blog post. This post dedicated to “September is newborn screening awareness month ” theme , I am posting some of the conditions screened for specifically in Canada.

They are as follows, ( source; http://www.newbornscreening.on.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-21&lang=1 )

For more information on these disorders/ diseases and condtions, I have left the links embedded in the text, or copy and paste the source link at the top.

Here in British Columbia , Canada,  babies screened do also  have there heels pricked and the blood placed on the filter paper than sent to the newborn screening lab at BC Children’s hospital. This is also where PKU patients send there home monitoring phe blood dot tests. We use the same filter paper as the babies.  For PKU we get our blood phe level back within or around 10 days. Babies screened for at birth can take up to 2 weeks depending where in BC they live. Once a test comes back positive, a phone call is made to the family and they are sent to BC children’s hospital for further testing, education , support , treatments and more.

I am sad to say newborn screening is not mandatory in all provinces, or even in all countries around the world. So like I said in my previous post, it is the job of the health care workers, doctors, nurses , social workers ect ect to educate new parents on the importance of newborn screening. But as well , it is also our job! each and every single one of us, dont wait till its to late.

Newborn screening saves lives, and it saved mine. Please be sure to educate your friends and your family. This is such an important message.

Thank you,

Amanda