Newborn Screenings

The Texas Newborn Screening Test can identify babies with certain diseases so that treatment can be started right away. Early identification and treatment can prevent mental retardation and/or life-threatening illness.

To protect the health of all its newborns, State law requires that all babies born in Texas have the Newborn Screening (NBS) Test before leaving the hospital. This test screens for specific diseases in the following groups:

Metabolic

Chemical reactions in the body to create energy and build tissue

Endocrine

Hormones that affect body functions

Hemoglobin

Red blood cells that carry oxygen

Other Genetic Diseases

· Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

· Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

The newborn screening test should be done when the baby is at least 12 hours of age but before 6 days of age. The ideal time to do the test is when the baby is between 24 and 48 hours of age. The test is simple and safe. The NBS test will performed by a Registered Nurse caring for you and your baby during the hospital stay.

For more information about Newborn Screening and the most current list of diseases that can be detected through the program, visit http://cdph.ca.gov/nbs.