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NEWBORN SCREENING
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Every infant born in the United States is screened shortly after birth for a number of genetic disorders. Although most babies are born healthy, all babies are tested because children with these genetic disorders often appear healthy at birth. Serious problems, including mental retardation and death, can be prevented if the disorders are discovered early through newborn screening. The tests are performed using heel stick blood spots (before leaving the hospital, a few drops of blood are taken from the newborn's heel). The blood samples are sent to a newborn screening lab for testing; parents are notified if there is a problem or a need to retest.
Newborn screening programs are state-based, so the number of tests performed, retesting guidelines, and other important issues vary from state to state. An effort is underway to establish a national consensus on the minimum number and types of disorders that are universally screened, as well as more uniform guidelines and procedures for the implementation and management of newborn screening programs. |
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