Newborn Screening Ontario, located at CHEO, is the provincial program that coordinates newborn screening in Ontario, Canada. Our multidisciplinary team provides a comprehensive program of analysis, follow-up, education, research and development.
Newborn screening is a test done shortly after birth to test for treatable diseases that usually show no symptoms in the newborn period. Using a heel-prick, a small amount of blood is collected from all babies shortly after birth. In Ontario, this blood is sent to Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) in Ottawa where it is tested for serious diseases. With these diseases, early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment. For more information, visit the NSO website.