Arkansas Department of Health

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Newborn Screening

Newborn screening tests take place before your newborn leaves the hospital. Babies are tested to identify serious or life-threatening conditions before symptoms begin. Such diseases are usually rare. However, they can affect a baby's normal physical and mental development.

Most tests use a few drops of blood from pricking the baby's heel.

If a screening test suggests a problem, your baby's doctor will follow up with further testing. If those tests confirm a problem, the doctor may refer you to a specialist for treatment. Following your doctor's treatment plan can save your baby from lifelong health and developmental problems.

Newborn Screening is a public health service provided by all states to identify conditions that are not noticeable at the time of birth but may cause a serious disability or even death if not treated immediately.

• 4 million babies are born in the United States a year!
• 1 out of 12,500 newborns born each year are given a second chance because of newborn screening!

In 2019, 99% of babies born in Arkansas received a newborn screen; 104 confirmed cases were identified and referred for treatment

• Heartland Genetic Collaborative’s Spanish Newborn Screening Video
• PerkinElmer’s English Newborn Screening Video
• PerkinElmer’s Spanish Newborn Screening Video

Downloads

• Newborn Screening Parent Brochure: English | Spanish | Marshallese
• Newborn Screening 2018-2019 Comparison Report

Office	Address	Phone	Fax
Newborn Screening	5800 W 10th Street, Suite 808 Little Rock, AR 72204	866-769-9043	501-280-4769