Newborn bloodspot screening

Staff information and resources

In Ireland, newborn babies are offered screening for 11 rare conditions.

Information for parents and guardians on these conditions and the screening process is available in heel prick screening.

For any queries on newborn bloodspot screening email child.screening@hse.ie.

For specific queries on newborn bloodspot samples or results, contact the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory.
Email: info.newbornscreening@childrenshealthireland.ie.

Information for healthcare professionals and sample takers

HSE National Procedure for all staff providing the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP)

A Practical Guide to Newborn Bloodspot Screening in Ireland (10th Edition) (PDF, 2.04 MB, 86 pages)

Patient Details Amendment Form (Word, 21 KB, 1 page)

Incorrect location report form (Word, 29 KB, 1 page)

Screening card checklist (Word, 18 KB, 1 page)

Opt-out form (PDF, 728 KB, 1 page)

Copy results request form (Word, 45 KB, 1 page)

Notification of undetected cases of Cystic Fibrosis (Word, 29 KB, 6 pages)

Notification of undetected cases of metabolic conditions (MSUD, HCU, CGAL, MCADD, GA1) (Word, 29 KB, 7 pages)

Notification of undetected cases of ADA-SCID (Word, 24 KB, 10 pages)

Notification of undetected cases of CHT (Word, 22 KB, 9 pages)

Resources for SCID screening

SCID Maternity and Paediatrics Pack

Follow up of a baby who screened positive for SCID (PDF, 3 MB, 48 pages)

SCID - Parent Information Leaflets

Information for parents of babies at risk of SCID (PDF, 268 KB, 4 pages)

Information for parents of babies at risk of SCID – What to do while waiting for your baby’s specialist blood test (PDF, 273 KB, 4 pages)

Information for parents – SCID is likely (PDF, 283 KB, 6 pages)

Information for parents – babies with T-Cell lymphopenia (PDF, 276 KB, 4 pages)

Information for parents – babies with normal test results for SCID (PDF, 263 KB, 2 pages)

Resources for SMA

Information for parents of babies at risk of SMA (PDF, 139 KB, 2 pages)

Information for parents of babies with SMA (PDF, 119 KB, 1 page)

Information for parents – false positive screening result for SMA (PDF, 130 KB, 1 page)

Annual reports

The HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme Screening Programmes annual reports include a detailed summary of the activity and performance of the two national screening programmes - newborn bloodspot programme and newborn hearing programme.

National Healthy Childhood Programme Screening Programmes Annual Report 2024

National Childrens Screening Programmes Annual Report 2023

National Childrens Screening Programmes Annual Report 2020 - 2022