Newborn Screening Home

Newborn Screening is a special blood test done on each Utah baby, which is specifically designed to reduce the occurrence of diseases or conditions that alter health and quality of life (morbidity) and the risk of death (mortality)
due to certain metabolic, endocrine, and hemotologic disorders by identifying the disorder prior to the onset of symptoms.

This allows treatment to begin before clinical symptoms of morbidity (i.e. permanent brain damage, growth retardation, sepsis, or severe anemia) or death can occur in the newborn.

Utah collects two newborn screening specimens (formerly called the PKU test) which test for 37 disorders. The first screen is usually done between 48 hours and 5 days of life, or right before discharge from the hospital. The second screen is done between 7 and 28 days of age, usually at the two week well-child check with the baby's pediatrician. Identifying and treating infants with these disorders early can help ensure a long, healthy life, so it is important to get these tests done correctly and on time.

NEWS ALERTS

As part of Governer Huntsman's new initiative, Working 4 Utah, the Newborn Screening Progam will be changing it's hours. Beginning Monday, August 4, our new hours will be Monday – Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read the Article

As of July 1, 2008, there will be a kit fee increase of $8 (from $67 to $75) to facilitate increased productivity and specimen handling and to prepare for adding cystic fybrosis to the screening panel.

Cystic Fibrosis

Utah will begin screening for Cystic Fibrosis in January of 2009. Education materials are being developed.

Rule 398-1 updated

The Rule governing Newborn Screening has been updated to include Cystic Fibrosis and clarifies reporting of abnormal results to the Medical Home listed on the screening card.

As of Fall 2007, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) extended the shelf life of Newborn Screening Card filter paper from two years to three years. Newborn Screening Cards that have an expiration date of December 2007 may still be used through December 2008.