Newborn screening programmes are used to detect diseases in neonates by analysing a blood sample collected by heel-prick, usually during the first week of life. Whereas early programmes were started with the aim of preventing mental retardation, advances in technology now mean that a variety of disorders, where treatment is more problematic, or even nonexistent, can be identified. This has broadened the scope of newborn screening and presents service providers with an increasing need to address issues about consent.