Consent for Newborn Screening

• Newborn screening is considered “standard of care” and is recommended for all babies born in BC.
• Newborn screening is not mandatory. Parents or the legal guardian may decline screening after having received information on the purpose and benefits of the screening (see “Informed Refusal” process outlined in this guideline).
• Note: A surrogate mother will not likely have completed the papers to be the legal guardian by the time blood is collected for the newborn screening tests. Consult your health authority policy and/or risk management department as to the acceptability of a surrogate mother signing the refusal form if legal documentation is not in place.
• Information about newborn screening is available in several languages on this website.

Created: May 11, 2010