"Newborn screening" refers to tests used to check newborn children for a variety of conditions that can affect their survival or long-term health. Screening is important because most babies affected by these conditions look and act healthy at birth. The disorders caused by these conditions can develop later in life, so early diagnosis is vital in reducing morbidity, premature death, intellectual disability, and developmental disabilities.
The Alabama Newborn Screening Program is responsible for ensuring that state laws, rules, and regulations regarding newborn screening are followed. While newborn screening is required by law in Alabama, certain religious exemptions are recognized.
Alabama's Newborn Screening Program consists of three basic tests: the dried blood spot (or heel stick), a hearing test, and a test for certain heart diseases of newborns. The Alabama Newborn Screening Program identifies approximately 200 babies each year with metabolic, endocrine, hematological, hearing, heart, or other congenital disorders.
The bulk of the newborn screening process is conducted by a simple blood test. The blood is taken by pricking the baby's heel, usually between 24 and 48 hours of age. This initial sample goes on special type of paper which is delivered to the Donald E. Williamson, M.D., State Health Laboratory, operated by the Alabama Department of Public Health's Bureau of Clinical Laboratories. A second sample is recommoended to be taken at the baby's provider's office at 2 to 6 weeks of age, or at the hospital if the infant is experiencing an extended stay.
Alabama's screening process, which utilizes the most up-to-date equipment and techniques, tests for 35 core conditions as listed by the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children's Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. For a full list of the conditions being tested for in Alabama, which includes hypothyroidism, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia, visit Disorder Descriptions.
The most commonly occurring birth disorder in the United States is newborn hearing loss. Through the Alabama's Listening! program, hearing screening is performed at 24-48 hours of age. Parents should receive the results before leaving the hospital. These results fall into three categories:
More information and resources are available on the Newborn Hearing Screening page.
The Critical Congenital Heart Disease test is performed by placing a probe on the newborn's right hand and either foot. If the reading is abnormal, the baby's heart will be evaluated by a specialist to understand if there are any concerns.