Newborn
Screening Switzerland

Interesting facts for parents and professionals.

Birth

The big event is about to occur: the birth of your child, which you have carried under your heart for nine months now.

1.

Taking a blood sample

On the 4th day of life, several drops of blood are taken from the child’s heel and sent to the screening lab in Zurich on a filter paper card.

2.

Analysis

Within the screening lab, the blood is examined for eleven hormonal and metabolic diseases using the latest technology and methods.

3.

Notification

The results are available within 1-3 days after receipt of the card. The parents will be contacted by the respective specialist or the maternity clinic/midwife only in the event ofsuspicious findings, so that additional investigations can be arranged.

4.

Statistics

The number of samples of newborns routinely examined varies between 80 000 and 85 000 per year.

5.