Last updated 02.09.2026
Newborn screening
Newborn screening makes it possible to detect certain rare but serious diseases in newborns at a very early stage, even before symptoms appear. A few days after birth, a small amount of blood is collected at the maternity ward and then analysed at the LNS. If the result shows no abnormality, the parents are not contacted. However, if screening produces a suspicious result, additional examinations are promptly proposed to confirm or rule out the disease and, if necessary, put appropriate care in place as early as possible.
Newborn screening – what is it?
Watch this video produced for World Newborn Screening Day, in which Patricia Borde, Head of the Medical Biology Department at the LNS, reminds us of the importance of this essential procedure: detecting certain serious diseases from birth to give every child the best possible chance of healthy development.
Newborn screening is not just a programme; it saves lives.
SCID - severe combined immunodeficiency
Since the beginning of 2026, a seventh rare disease, SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency), has been added to the screening programme, representing a major advance for newborns. Find out more in this video.
SMA - spinal muscular atrophy
In 2024, the newborn screening programme was expanded to include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Find out more in this video.
