Why should my baby have the screening?
The conditions for which your baby will be tested are
individually rare.
However, they are also very serious and can result in severe injury to the
brain, organs, or nervous system, and/or may result in death if not treated. The newborn blood spot screen helps to
identify the babies needing treatment, such as a special diet or medication. Since symptoms are not generally noticeable at
birth, the best way to find these disorders before permanent damage occurs is
through newborn screening. Only
additional testing (diagnostic testing) can tell if the baby truly has the
disorder. The screening tests are very
good but not fail-safe and may not always detect a disorder. In any case, if your baby does not seem well,
talk to your baby's doctor as soon as possible.