Health Topic

Newborn screening tests

Disease Information

Overview

Nearly all babies will have a simple blood test to check for disorders that are not apparent immediately after the baby is born.

  • Some of these disorders are genetic, metabolic, blood or hormone-related.
  • Each state in the United States requires screening tests, but the specific tests performed vary among the states.
  • Some disorders are more common in some states, making testing more important.

A heel-prick is used to sample your baby's blood. The blood drops are collected in a small vial or on a special paper. The blood is then sent for testing. Your baby's heel may have some redness at the pricked site, and some babies may have bruising, but this usually disappears in a few days.

Science-driven care

Better diagnostic testing for newborns with galactosemia

Newborn screening testsGerard Berry, director of the Metabolism Program at Children’s Hospital Boston, hopes a more sensitive follow-up test for galactosemia will relieve unnecessary distress on families.

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