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About one in every 250 babies has a disease screened for at birth. 

Newborn Screening is a simple test done shortly after birth. By 72 hours of a newborn’s life, newborn screening is already at work. Most babies are born healthy, however many babies detected through newborn screening seem healthy at birth but in fact have diseases that will cause them to become very sick in infancy, or even later in childhood, without treatment. The diseases that can be detected through newborn screening can cause death or permanent disability if not treated promptly.  Newborn screening allows these babies to be identified shortly after birth and get the treatment they need so they can live happy, healthy, productive lives.  

The best part of newborn screening is how simple it is.  Several drops of blood taken from the baby’s heel and blotted on a filter paper create blood spots that are tested by the state laboratory.  Some blood spots may be left over after the test. The states can use them for life-saving research. Blood spots left over from the newborn screening process hold the promise of a healthy life for all babies through research for new disease tests and improvements in testing procedures. These blood spots must be protected and preserved so more babies have a chance at a healthy life. 

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