What is newborn screening?
Newborn screening is a simple test to look for medical conditions that can cause death or serious problems for your baby. Texas law (Health and Safety Code, Chapter 33) requires testing of newborn children, born in Texas, for a list of serious medical conditions. These conditions can cause death or severe disability, but early detection and treatment greatly improve the possible outcomes for children identified with a condition.
Why do newborn screening?
Finding out early can help keep your baby from getting sick or dying. Newborn screening can save a child’s life and eliminate or greatly reduce the level of disability for that child.
How is newborn screening done?
A small amount of your baby’s blood is collected from your baby’s heel and placed on a blood spot card 1-2 days after birth and again at 7-14 days of age. The blood spot card is sent to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) public health laboratory for testing.
How do I get results?
You can get the test results from your baby’s doctor 1-2 weeks after the specimen is collected.
What happens to the blood spot card after testing?
DSHS stores the blood spot cards safely. The blood spot cards may be used to make sure newborn screening tests are working correctly and giving the right results. They may also be used for public health, like research on childhood diseases, or for developing new tests. One blood spot will be saved in case you or your family needs it. Read about other uses of blood spots.
No information that can connect your child to the blood spot cards is allowed to leave DSHS unless: 1) you okay it in writing or 2) it is required by law (e.g. a medical examiner looking into the death of a child).
What if I don’t want my child’s blood spot card stored or used for anything after testing?
Completely fill out and sign the form found at the links below:
Your child’s blood spot card will be destroyed within 60 days of receipt of the form, or after the newborn screening tests are completed. |