Your question: What does the newborn blood screening test for?

Every newborn is tested for a group of health disorders that aren’t otherwise found at birth. With a simple blood test, doctors can check for rare genetic, hormone-related, and metabolic conditions that can cause serious health problems.

What diseases does the newborn screening program test for?

Newborn screening tests may include:

• Phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is an inherited disease in which the body cannot metabolize a protein called phenylalanine. …
• Congenital hypothyroidism. …
• Galactosemia. …
• Sickle cell disease. …
• Maple syrup urine disease. …
• Homocystinuria. …
• Biotinidase deficiency. …
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

What does the newborn metabolic screening test for?

Newborn screening began in the 1960s when scientist Robert Guthrie, MD, PhD, developed a blood test that could detect whether newborns had the metabolic disorderA disorder or defect in the way the body breaks down food or other products (metabolism), phenylketonuria (PKU).

What is included in the newborn screening?

The most common newborn screening tests in the US include those for hypothyrodism (underactivity of the thyroid gland), PKU (phenylketonuria), galactosemia, and sickle cell disease. Testing for hypothyroidism and PKU is required in virtually all States.

What happens if a newborn screening test comes back positive?

A “positive” or “out-of-range” result means that the baby’s screening exam did show signs that the baby may be at higher risk of having one or more of the conditions included on the newborn screening panel. This does not mean that the baby definitely has a medical condition.

Can you refuse newborn screening?

Symptoms of a newborn screening disorder can appear much later, after a child’s health has already been injured by the disease. The screen is mandated by law. The only legal reason to refuse newborn screening is if it conflicts with your religious tenets or practices.

Do they blood type newborns?

The blood groups that make up a person’s blood type are 100% inherited from their parents. Each parent passes on one of two ABO alleles (variant of a gene) to their baby. A and B are dominant, O is recessive.

What are the first signs of cystic fibrosis in babies?

Early signs of CF include:

• Salty sweat; many parents notice a salty taste when kissing their child.
• Poor growth and weight gain (failure to thrive)
• Constant coughing and wheezing.
• Thick mucus or phlegm.
• Greasy, smelly stools that are bulky and pale colored.

How common are false positives in newborn screening?

As it stands now, parents in one state might find that false positives rates are as low as 0.01 percent of all newborn tests, while parents a few states over may find as many as 1.52 percent of those tests are false alarms.

How long does it take to get newborn screening results?

The results of your baby’s newborn blood spot screening become available five to seven days after birth.

What is abnormal newborn screening?

Most infants with abnormal newborn screening results have normal follow-up testing. Initial NBS results can be abnormal because the blood was drawn too early, the baby is premature and many other reasons. If a baby truly has a disorder, treatment can be started immediately.

Why is blood taken from a baby heel?

What is the heel prick test? The ‘heel prick test’ is when a blood sample is taken from a baby’s heel so that the baby’s blood can be tested for certain metabolic disorders. The blood sample is taken using an automated device called a lancet. The lancet is used to make a small puncture on the side of the baby’s heel.

Do I need to redo my newborn screening test?

Your baby’s doctor or the state health department will contact you if your baby needs to have another blood test. They will tell you why your baby needs to be retested and what to do next. If your baby needs to be retested, plan to get the repeat test done right away.

Is autism can be detected in newborn screening?

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test, to diagnose the disorder. Doctors look at the child’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis. ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger.

How accurate are newborn screening tests?

The PPVs, however, range from 0.5% to 6.0%. Consequently, on average, there are more than 50 false-positive results for every true-positive result identified through newborn screening in the United States.