Prof. dr. Pieter Vermeersch and Sylvie Devos, laboratory medicine: "We are extremely proud that UZ Leuven, together with UZ Gent, can conduct the population screening for congenital disorders in newborns. This project is interuniversity, multidisciplinary and socially relevant for the whole of Flanders. Our project is also future-oriented, we will examine which innovations are possible."
The 18 conditions identified and the instructions for taking the cards remain unchanged.
About neonatal screening
This neonatal screening, also known as the Guthrie test or by its older name 'heel prick test', is a routine screening for newborns in which a few drops of blood are taken. The blood sample is used to screen for 18 rare congenital diseases, including various metabolic disorders and hormonal disorders, but for several years now also cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy.