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 method called tandem mass spectrometry to test for over 24 rare disorders.
- The Maternal and Child Health Bureau, which is part of the federal government, has identified 29 core conditions that should be screened for in all states. Many of these conditions are screened for using tandem mass spectrometry.
- Most states screen for all 29 of the core conditions.
How Can My Baby Get the Expanded Newborn Screening Blood Test?
- Check with your doctor to see if your state program is screening for the 29 core conditions.
- o You can also check what disorders your state screenings 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.
