Newborn Screening

Newborn Screening identifies conditions that can affect a child’s long-term health, development or survival. Early detection, diagnosis, and intervention can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential. Every state in the U.S. has a newborn screening program that screens newborns for many treatable congenital diseases. Since the symptoms of these serious conditions do not always appear at birth, early detection is lifesaving.

Utah Newborn Screening checks for more than 50 disorders, as well as conducts screening for hearing loss and critical congenital heart disease.

The blood sample from the heelstick will be stored at the Utah Public Health Laboratory for a minimum of 90 days for accurate testing and diagnosis. Utah retains these samples for up to 7 years. This is due to some diseases, such as congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), that can be diagnosed from the sample after a child shows symptoms as they age. Parents can opt out of the extended retention of their child’s sample.

For more information about cCMV visit: cmv.utah.gov

Newborn screening in Utah consists of three simple tests: bloodspot screening, hearing screening and critical congenital heart disease (pulse oximetry) screening. For more information about what to expect during the newborn screening process, visit: babysfirsttest.org