IWK expands newborn screening services
Posted Apr 1, 2014 12:53:20 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The IWK Health Centre is expanding newborn screening for conditions including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia as the first stage of a systematic expansion of newborn screening services.
Babies born in Nova Scotia are currently screened for 13 conditions.
They are screened for a number of serious but treatable conditions (metabolic, endocrine and blood disorders). This expansion of newborn screening will add sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and eight additional conditions to the screen panel.
“The IWK is pleased to be the screening centre for the Maritimes,” said Allan Horsburgh, Vice President, Operations & Support Services and CFO. “Here at the IWK we strive to make a difference and to offer the best possible care to the patients and families we serve. The expanded Newborn Screening brings us one step closer to that vision.”
The Nova Scotia Newborn Screening Service will be renamed as the Maritime Newborn Screening Program. Currently, the IWK Health Centre does newborn screening for all babies born in Nova Scotia and the majority of screening for babies born in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
