Newborn Screening program

September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month

California Newborn Screening Program

We have modified our process for reporting non-urgent newborn screening test results due to an unexpected contract termination by our printing vendor. As a result, paper results will not be mailed until a contract with a new vendor can be executed. Communication of all positive and urgent cases to providers is unaffected by this issue and continues to take place through the Area Service Centers (ASCs). Here’s what you need to know:

Newborn Screening Results:

Hospitals are receiving results electronically. If you have a relationship with the newborn’s hospital of birth, please consider obtaining results from the hospital.
For clinicians who request results via our fax number, we are experiencing a massive increase in requests and have a significant backlog. Providing an email where we can send results will help us in filling your request electronically. However, paper results will not be mailed for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for your understanding during this time.

In California, about 1 out of every 600 babies tested will have a rare, but treatable genetic disorder. To ensure the health of all its newborns, state law requires that all babies born in California have newborn screening soon after birth.

Background

The California Newborn Screening (NBS) Program is a public health program that screens all babies for many serious but treatable genetic disorders. Newborn screening began in California in 1966 with screening for one disorder, called phenylketonuria (PKU). The NBS Program has expanded and now includes over 80 different disorders, both genetic (passed down in families) and congenital (present at birth).

Goal

The goal of the program is to identify babies with these disorders early, so that treatment can be started right away. A parent or guardian of the newborn child may only decline newborn screening based on the objection that it conflicts with his or her religious beliefs or practices.

How it works

The NBS Program takes a blood sample from a newborn’s heel from 12 to 48 hours after birth to check for genetic disorders. At the same time, the newborn receives a hearing and congenital heart disease screening. The California Newborn Hearing Screening Program helps identify hearing loss in infants and guide families to the appropriate services needed to develop communication skills. The California Congenital Health Disease Screening Program, can be reached by email at CCHDScreening@dhcs.ca.gov.

Parent who want their baby’s blood spot destroyed after newborn screening can contact the NBS Program and request this.

Important Information for Parents

Important Information about Newborn Screening

Cost and billing

Medi-Cal and most other insurance companies cover the NBS Program about 99% of the time.

If your baby was born in a hospital and a blood sample was taken there, the cost is usually included in the hospital bill. If your baby was born at home, you will receive a notice from the NBS Program asking for insurance information. As a courtesy, CDPH will bill your insurance for you.