Newborn screening (NBS) is a public health program to find babies with rare but treatable disorders so they can receive treatment early. A few drops of blood taken from the baby’s heel are used to fill 5 spots on a special filter paper card. The card is sent to the Michigan Department of Community Health Laboratory for testing.

Currently, babies born in Michigan are screened for 49 medical conditions as well as hearing loss. Michigan law requires all babies to be screened. This ensures that babies who need treatment are found early. Whether a baby is born in the hospital or at home, newborn blood spot screening should be done between 24 and 36 hours after birth. Newborn screening for hearing loss is performed by the hospital, usually before a baby is discharged.

For more information about Michigan’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, visit www.michigan.gov/ehdi

If a baby seems really healthy, is NBS still needed?

YES!   Most babies with these medical conditions seem healthy at birth but can become very sick in a short time.  If not found early, many of the conditions can cause serious health problems, severe developmental delay and even death.

What happens if screening suggests a health problem?

The Michigan Department of Community Health, Newborn Screening Follow-up Program assures that all babies with positive (abnormal) tests receive confirmatory diagnosis and treatment. In the case of a positive screen, NBS Follow-up Program will notify the baby’s doctor. The parents will then be called and told what to do next. A positive screen does not always mean that a baby has one of the medical conditions.  A second screening test may be needed. 

What are the medical conditions?

In Michigan, NBS looks for 49 conditions that may affect: 

• blood cells

• brain development

• hearing

• how the body breaks down nutrients from food

• lungs and breathing

Some of the disorders include: 

 For a complete list of conditions, visit: www.michigan.gov/newbornscreening

What happens if a baby has one of these conditions?

Help is available for families who have a baby diagnosed by newborn screening. Treatment usually begins early and continues through life.  Each year about 225 Michigan babies are found by NBS. Clinical diagnosis and treatment services for infants identified by newborn screening are provided by three medical management centers:

• Sickle Cell Disease Association, Michigan Chapter

• University of Michigan Endocrinology
• Children's Hospital of Michigan - Metabolic Clinic

For more information about newborn screening in Michigan, including updates for hospitals and information for parents, please visit www.michigan.gov/newbornscreening or call toll-free 1-866-673-9939.

Additional NBS links:

Expanded Newborn Screening: Changing the Face of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (for health care professionals)
click here to view the webcast

Updated Oct.2009