Newborn Screening Inadequate Blood Collection
The abbreviation "IB" is used by the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories' Newborn Screening Laboratory to indicate submitted specimens that have inadequate blood to complete all required testing.Steps to Collecting a Satisfactory Newborn Screen
- Puncture the heel with a disposable lancet deep enough to reach the skin’s primary blood supply, yet shallow enough to prevent heel or bone injury.
- Apply 5 large (approximately 0.1 cc) drops of blood evenly to the filter paper printed circles.
- Do not remove the filter paper until the blood has completely soaked through to the other side.
- Specimens should be dried horizontally for at least 4 hours.
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The Newborn Screening Laboratory is currently testing newborns for 28 disorders. They use a small hole-punch to remove saturated areas of the blood filled circles for testing. A minimum of eight punches is required from each filter paper specimen.
It takes 0.1 cc of blood to adequately fill a circle on the filter paper. The circle should be at least 90% filled. Remember – only one drop per circle. Blood should be collected on either the front or back of the paper, but applied to only one side. The drop of blood should be large enough to saturate the filter paper all the way through to the other side.
If you are unable to adequately fill the circles, an extra drop of blood may be placed on the blood collection area outside of the circles as long as it does not overlap an existing drop. Please note these “satellite” drops should be the same size as the guide circles on the filter paper.
Page last updated: July 17, 2026
