Newborn Screening for Metabolic and Sickle Cell Disorders Program

Screening: Parents Refusal

Religious grounds are the only valid reason for refusal of newborn screening. If a parent objects to testing based on religious grounds, a hospital official is to inform the parent of the consequences of refusal (possible infant death or retardation) and require the parent to complete a statement indicating their declination of newborn screening for religious reasons. This signed refusal should be retained in the record of the physician, midwife or individual attending the delivery.