The heel prick is a national screening (examination) for every newborn, around the fifth day after birth. It will be executed by an employee of the GGD. A few droplets of blood will be drawn from the baby’s heel. This blood will be examined for a disease of the thyroid gland, a disease of the adrenal gland, a type of anemia, cystic fibrosis and a number of metabolic diseases. These diseases are rare. They cannot be cured, but most of the times they can be treated well, with medicine or a diet. They can have severe consequences if they are not treated in time. When a divergent result is found, you will receive a message from your general practitioner, who will also arrange a reference for further examination.
For more information you can check the website of the RIVM.