Mission Statement
The goal of the Newborn Screening (NBS) Clinical Care Coordination Program is to decrease the morbidity and mortality of infants born in Texas through customer-oriented, high quality newborn screening follow-up, case management and outreach education.
Announcements
Cytomegalovirus: A Common Cause of Hearing Loss in Children
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a viral infection that is common. Most people have been infected with CMV by adulthood. If the CMV infection occurs for the first time during pregnancy, especially early in pregnancy, the developing fetus may have birth defects including being deaf or hard of hearing.
Read more about CMV.
Effective September 1, 2014: Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease in Texas
Beginning September 1, 2014, Reporting of Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) is mandatory in Texas. House Bill 740, 83rd Legislature Regular Session, 2013, added CCHD to the required Texas newborn screening panel. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has developed Texas Administrative Code rules for CCHD screening located in Chapter 37 §37.75 – 37.79.
Birthing facilities, hospitals, and physicians can utilize the CCHD toolkit (see link below) to assist with implementing CCHD screening. The toolkit was developed through the Texas Pulse Oximetry Project with support from DSHS. It provides educational and technical information on screening for CCHD, including the screening algorithm, brochures, and other information for physicians and nurses.
CCHD Required Report Form
Newborn Screening for CCHD will require the reporting of confirmed cases to DSHS. The form to report confirmed cases is located at the CCHD Reporting Form link below. Completed forms can be faxed or mailed to DSHS as follows:
FAX to:
FAX Number: (512) 776-7593
Attention: CCHD Program
MAIL to:
Attention: CCHD Program
DSHS Newborn Screening Genetics Branch
P.O. Box 149347, MC 1918
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
CCHD Toolkit
CCHD Algorithm
CCHD Reporting Form
CCHD Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our frequently asked questions web page for more information. Sign up to receive e-mail updates about newborn screening.
Free CE Accredited CCHD Course Available
The Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education module Critical Congenital Heart Disease will educate physicians about the need for early detection and intervention of CCHD in newborns, the protocol for conducting the screen, and what diagnostic testing should be performed in response to a positive screen. Providers will also learn about explaining the screening test to parents of a newborn and the role of the medical home in ensuring that the baby was appropriately screened and received any necessary follow-up.
Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is one of the leading causes of death in infants less than one-year old. Each year in the United States, 4,800 infants (2/1000 live births) are born with CCHD. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality and can lead to better outcomes.
Any questions regarding CCHD screening can be e-mailed to newborn@dshs.state.tx.us or call Beth Rider, Newborn Screening Ombudsman, at (512) 776-3386.
Newborn Screening In-Service Education
Newborn Screening (NBS) in-service education is designed to provide general information on the NBS program, genetic disorders screened for in Texas, specimen collection, the importance of early detection and treatment, and resources available to assist healthcare providers participating in newborn screening. In-service face-to-face trainings are generally for audiences of 15 or more. Please send an email message to nbs.education@dshs.state.tx.us to schedule in-service education for your organization.FREE Live Web Conferencing
Webinar trainings cover general information on the NBS program and are designed for small to mid-size groups. The webinar is an online presentation which allows participants to view attached documents and applications electronically from any computer. During the webinar, information about the NBS program will be presented and the webinar format allows for open discussion and questions. Please send an email message to nbs.education@dshs.state.tx.us to schedule a webinar training for your organization.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Newborn Screening Unit
PO Box 149347 MC 1918
Austin, TX 78714-9347
1-800-252-8023 ext. 3957
Fax: 512-776-7450