Mass screening in Sapporo City

Neonatal Screening ( Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Congenital Hypothyroidism(CH) Screening, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia(CAH) Screening)

Keywords: 新生児マススクリーニング Shinseiji-mass-screening (代謝異常症 Taisha-Ijousho、先天性甲状腺機能低下症 Sentensei-Koujousen-Kinou-Teikasho、先天性副腎過形成症 Sentensei-Fukujin-Kakeiseisho)

Neonatal screening is a test that can identify over 20 different disorders in newborns with only a few drops of their blood. The test aims to support the healthy development of your baby through early disease detection.
The screening is offered free of charge to all newborns delivered in Sapporo. Neonatal screening is conducted by local governments throughout the country.

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Biliary Atresia Screening

What is biliary atresia (胆道閉鎖症 Tando-heisasho)?
It is a disease in which the duct between the liver and the intestine is clogged and bile cannot be discharged. As a result, jaundice and pale or clay-colored stools develop. This disease can be treated only by surgery. If the treatment is delayed, serious liver failure would occur. Therefore early diagnosis is necessary within two months of age.

How is the test done?
Check the color of the baby’s stool three times, the first time at 2 weeks of age,  the second time on the day before the baby’s one month check-up and the third time between one month and four months of age. Choose the number from the color test chart that matches the color of your child‘s stool.  The color chart is attached to Boshi-techo, maternal and child handbook.

The colors on the image above might look different from the real colors on the card. Use the color chart on your Boshi-techo.
If the color matches #1, #2 or #3 of the color test chart, please directly contact the Sapporo City Institute of Public Health.

Based on information from Sapporo city. Last reviewed on May 17, 2025