If it is found that your baby is affected by a disorder of this kind, treatment can be started early, before the baby becomes sick. For the test, a few drops of blood are taken from your baby's heel onto special absorbent paper. The dried blood sample is sent to the NSW Newborn Screening Laboratory, located at the New Children's Hospital. It is caused when the thyroid gland is too small, is absent or doesn't work properly. Early treatment leads to the normal mental and physical development of your child.
Treatment is a small tablet of thyroid hormone given daily.
This occurs in about 8 or 9 babies each year. If untreated, phenylalanine accumulates in the blood and causes brain damage. This occurs in about 2 babies each year. If the child is treated promptly with a special milk which does not contain galactose, this will completely prevent serious illness. Babies with this condition who are not treated may become very sick and die.