Newborn Screening

In Ireland, the HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme Screening Programmes delivers two population level screening programmes for newborn babies – the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme and the National Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. The key focus of both screening programmes is early identification of serious medical conditions and appropriate interventions to reduce mortality and/or morbidity in our population.

The HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme Screening Programmes has published its annual report for 2024 which includes a detailed summary of the activity and performance of these two National Screening Programmes. This report and previous reports are available to download below.

National Healthy Childhood Programme Screening Programmes (National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme and National Universal Newborn Screening Programme) Report 2024.pdf (size 1.4 MB, 56 pages)

HSE National Children's Screening Services Report 2023 (PDF, size 1.7 MB, 48 pages)

HSE National Children's Screening Programmes Report 2020-2022 (PDF, 1.1 MB, 45 pages)

Newborn Bloodspot Screening

All babies born in Ireland are screened for 9 medical conditions soon after birth. This is often called the ‘Heel Prick'.

Newborn bloodspot screening

Information for healthcare professionals and sample takers

For general newborn bloodspot screening queries please contact child.screening@hse.ie. This email address cannot be used regarding queries on newborn bloodspot screening samples or results, please contact your local Public Health Nurse or the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory at info.newbornscreening@cuh.ie