Most states require newborn screening for medical disorders that respond to early treatment. Depending on your family health history, your doctor might recommend extra tests.
The required number and types of tests differ in each state. Here are some examples of conditions that can be found early with newborn screening tests.
Thyroid disorder. The thyroid is a gland in the neck that makes hormones. It's important to find and treat thyroid disorder early to prevent problems with growth and development.
PKU. Babies with PKU can't process certain foods and must be fed special formula. PKU can cause mental retardation if it's not treated early.
Sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a serious blood disorder. It can be watched and treated if it's found early.
Hearing loss. Finding out early if your baby has hearing loss can prevent problems with speech and language. If your hospital doesn't test for hearing loss, be sure to have your baby's hearing checked within the first month.
How Newborn Screening Tests Are Done
Most newborn screening tests use a few drops of blood taken from the heel of your baby's foot. The same blood can be used to test for many different diseases. These tests don't harm the baby.
A hearing test uses a small microphone or earphone to check how your baby responds to sounds.
Ask your doctor when to expect the test results. Some tests may need to be repeated after one or two weeks, especially if you leave the hospital before your baby is 24 hours old. Make a plan with your doctor.
Paying for Newborn Screening Tests
Some newborn screening tests are covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get these tests at no cost to you. For a list of other services covered by the ACA, visit HealthCare.gov.
If you don't have insurance, you can still get medical care for yourself and your baby. The toll-free telephone numbers below connect you to the health department in your area code. Ask them about free care.
- For information in English, call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229).
- For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081.
The information in this article was originally published on HealthFinder.gov.
