Newborn Screening program

September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month

California Newborn Screening Program

Effective immediately, we are updating our process for mailing non-urgent paper test results due to an unforeseen conflict/contract termination with our print vendor. There will be delays in the mailing of hard copies of results for both Newborn and Prenatal Screening Programs. 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) or case coordinator centers (CCCs). Here’s what you need to know:

Newborn Screening Results:

Hospitals and facilities can elect to receive newborn screening results electronically by establishing a dedicated email address to receive the NBS results. To participate, please email nbs@cdph.ca.gov to receive an application and instruction guide.

Prenatal Screening Results:

Manual/Two-Page Requisition Form Orders: Paper result mailers will continue to be sent for Prenatal Screening orders placed using manual or two-page requisition forms.
CalGenetic Portal Orders: For providers who placed orders through the CalGenetic Portal, results will be available electronically as soon as they are ready. However, paper results will not be mailed for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please reach out to our support team.

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 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.

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

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.