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Pregnancy and newborn screening
Ngā whakamātau hauora mō te hunga hapū me ngā pēpi hou

Antenatal and newborn screening are tests done during pregnancy and when your pēpi (baby) is 24 hours old to find health conditions that can affect you or your pēpi. The tests can help you make choices about further tests, care and treatment.

Blood tests

You will be offered a blood test to check you and your pēpi (baby) are healthy.

Diabetes testing in pregnancy

Find out about testing and how to look after yourself and your pēpi.

HIV testing in pregnancy

You will be offered a HIV blood test when you have your first blood test during pregnancy.

Down syndrome & other conditions

Find out what your screening options are if you choose to screen, when you have the tests, and what your results mean.

Heel prick test

Find out when and how the test is done, what the results mean, and your options for keeping the blood sample.

Disorders screened for in the heel prick test (newborn blood spot screening)

Find out what disorders are tested for, what causes them, treatment options and how often these disorders occur in pēpi.

Metabolic screening stories

2019 marked 50 years of newborn metabolic screening in New Zealand. A series of unique videos have been produced of families who have benefited from metabolic screening, and key figures who have influenced and been involved with the programme over time.

Informed consent for the heel prick test

It is your to choose for your pēpi to be screened. Ask your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) for information to help you to make a decision.

Hearing screening

Find out how the test works, what to do if your pēpi has hearing loss and where you can get support.

Newborn hearing screening services

All regions across the motu offer newborn hearing screening free of charge to every eligible pēpi born in their area, whether they are born in hospital or at home.

Checking the growth, development and heart health of your pēpi

Fetal anatomy scans and echocardiograms are ultrasounds used to check the growth, development, and heart health of your pēpi during pregnancy.

Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme

Information for health professionals is on the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora website. 

Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme — Health New Zealand (external link)

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