About Newborn Screening

Newborn screening identifies conditions that can affect a child's long-term health or survival. Early detection, diagnosis, and intervention can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential.

Dried blood spot newborn screening

Each year, millions of babies in the U.S. are routinely screened, using a few drops of blood from the newborn’s heel, for certain genetic, endocrine, and metabolic disorders.

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening 

They are also tested for a group of heart defects, known as critical congenital heart disease or CCHD, that can be serious and life-threatening.

Newborn hearing screening

They are even tested for hearing loss, the most common birth disorder in newborns.

New mother in hospital with baby
Newborn screening is a public health system comprised of screening, follow-up, diagnosis, management, evaluation, and education.