Most industrialised countries (including Australia) have government-funded programs in place to screen newborn babies with a blood test for specific health disorders. These disorders are generally rare, and are often collectively referred to as 'metabolic' disorders, because they usually relate to a lack of a specific enzyme that is necessary for the body's metabolism.
The most common disorders tested for are:
Cystic fibrosis
Galactosaemia
Congenital hypothyroidism
Phenylketonuria
But there can be up to 30 additional metabolic disorders tested for (depending on the relevant government's health policy, and the laboratory's technical capabilities).
The newborn screening blood test is usually offered routinely to babies at about 3 to 5 days after their birth. The test is aimed at detecting selected disorders, so that treatment can be commenced before the baby shows signs of the illness. The disorders are usually treated by either altering the baby's diet (in most cases the baby must be placed on a special formula, stopping breastfeeding if doing so), and/or given medications.
The newborn screening test entails taking a few drops of the baby's blood (either by pricking the baby's heel, or taking blood from their vein). The blood is soaked onto a pre-printed, specially designed absorbent paper card (similar to 'blotting' paper) for testing. The paper card has 3 or 4 circles, (about 1 cm in diameter), which the caregiver must 'fill in' with the blood for the testing required.
The blood is usually taken by the midwife in the hospital before you go home, or by your midwife visiting you at home if on the early discharge program, or after a homebirth.
You should be supplied information by your caregiver, or hospital, about the test before they take the blood sample. You must also give your verbal (or in some cases written) consent, depending on the hospital's policy.