Information for Parents
What is Newborn Screening?
- A small amount of blood is taken from the baby's heel and tested for many different disorders.
- All states have a Newborn Screening Program. The state's laws determine the disorders screened for by the program.
- The state program makes sure all babies in the state get screened. They also make sure that all babies with abnormal newborn screening test results are referred for follow-up care. Finally, they educate parents and doctors about newborn screening.
- Most newborn screening is done through state programs.
What is the Expanded Newborn Screening Blood Test?
- The expanded newborn screening blood test uses a new method to test for over 24 rare disorders. This method is called Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
- Not all states are able to provide expanded newborn screening at this time.
How Can My Baby Get the Expanded Newborn Screening Blood Test?
- Check with your doctor to see if your state program is already doing this expanded screening.
- YOu can also check what disorders your state screens for at the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center website.
Disclaimer: The information provided is not an endorsement of the laboratories listed above. The information is provided purely as a service for new and expecting parents.
