The Newborn Screening (NBS) Laboratory at the Glen F. Baker Public Health Laboratory plays a vital role in safeguarding infant health by identifying conditions that may impact a child’s long-term well-being and survival. Each year, millions of newborns in the United States–including every baby born in the state of Arkansas–are screened for a range of metabolic and genetic disorders. Through early detection, accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention, the NBS Laboratory helps prevent premature death and empowers children to reach their full potential.

See below for a complete list of disorders included in our testing panel:

• Amino Acids: Argininosuccinic acidemia (ASA), Citrullinemia (CIT), Phenylketonuria (PKU), Homocystinuria (HCY), Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), Tyrosinemia, Type 1 (TYR-1)

• Endocrine Disorders: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), Congenital hypothyroidism (CH)

• Fatty Acid Oxidation Defects: Carnitine uptake deficiency (CUD), Long chain hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHAD), Medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD), Trifunctional protein deficiency (TFP), Very long chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCAD)

• Hemoglobin Disorders: Sickle–beta–thalassemia (S/βTh), Sickle – hemoglobin C disease (S/C), Sickle cell disease (SS)

• Organic Acidemias: Glutaric acidemia, Type I (GA I), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acidemia (HMG), 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase deficiency (3MCC), Beta-ketothiolase deficiency (BKT), Multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD), Propionic acidemia (PROP), Methylmalonic acidemia due to mutase deficiency (MUT), Methylmalonic acidemia due to cobalamin A, B defect (Cbl A, B), Isovaleric acidemia (IVA)

• Lysosomal Storage Disorders: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I), Pompe
• Other Disorders: Biotinidase deficiency (BIO), Galactosemia (GALT), Cystic fibrosis (CF), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD)

For additional information on Newborn Screening, please visit ADH Newborn Screening.

Resources

• 50 Years of NBS (Flyer)
• AR NBS brochure (English)
• AR NBS brochure (Spanish)
• AR NBS Board of Health Rules
• Arkansas NBS History (Poster)
• Triple Threat of NBS (Flyer)

Contact Us

Phone: (501) 661-2445
Fax: (501) 280-4087