For Families
- severe mental handicap;
- growth problems;
- sudden infant death; and
- other health problems.
Early detection allows for treatment that may prevent or greatly reduce these problems.
Every newborn baby born in BC and Yukon qualifies for screening. Newborns are screened between 24 and 48 hours old, either in hospital or at home. There are about 40 babies born each year (one out of every 1,000) who are found to have one of these rare disorders.
To learn more about newborn screening in BC: