Consent for newborn screening and storage of blood samples

Newborn bloodspot screening is a routine procedure that is undertaken in most developed countries in order to identify nine different conditions, including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. It is a procedure that requires parental consent, although studies have shown that parents may be unaware that they are also consenting to the storage of bloodspot samples. As part of a wider study aiming to identify the best means of communicating with parents, this article will examine how midwives can ensure that parents are informed and consent is valid.