Newborn Screening in Wisconsin

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Newborn Screening in Wisconsin
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What Is Newborn Screening?

• Newborn screening is the process of testing a
  population of newborns to identify those affected
  with certain treatable disorders early on,
  preventing potentially serious medical
  complications

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What Is Newborn Screening?

• Newborn screening programs include
• Testing - Treatment
• Follow-up - Education for parents/providers
• Confimatory Diagnosis

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Newborn Screening

• Every state in the US has a newborn screening
  program
• No federal guidelines for newborn screening

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• Newborns in WI are screened for 48 different
  disorders, including hearing
• Screening decreases morbidity and mortality, and
  increases quality of life for babies with these
  disorders
• Testing and parental notification are required by
  state law

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Wisconsin Statute 253.13

• The attending physician or nurse certified under
  441.5 shall cause every infant born in each
  hospital or maternity home, prior to its
  discharge therefrom, to be subjected to blood
  tests for congenital or metabolic disorders

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Wisconsin Statute 253.13

• Requires that parents be informed of testing
• No tests may be performedunless the parents or
  legal guardian are fully informed of the purposes
  of testingand have been given reasonable
  opportunity to object
• Parents may refuse based on religion
• This section shall not apply if the parents
  object...on the grounds that the test conflicts
  with their religious tenets and practices

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Why Is Newborn Screening Done?

• Early identification and treatment of newborns
  affected with certain congenital disorders can
  prevent serious medical complications
• Cannot test for every congenital disorder
  Criteria for testing must be met

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Newborn Screening Criteria

• Occurs in at least 1/100,000 births
• Detection in the neonatal period leads to a
  demonstrable reduction in morbidity and mortality
• Potential for effective therapy
• Reasonable cost
• Laboratory feasibility

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Newborn Screening

• Because PKU was the first disorder screened for,
  newborn screening is sometimes mistakenly called
  the PKU test
• PKU TEST

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How Are Samples Taken?

• Heel prick
• Fill all circles and allow card to dry completely
• Send cards to State Laboratory of Hygiene within
  24 hours of collection

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Results Reporting

• Samples are run the day they are received
• Specimens with all normal results available
  within 48 hours
• Color scheme used for reports
• White paper normal results
• Gold paper definite abnormal
• Blue paper possible abnormal

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Results Reporting

• Physician is contacted immediately whenever a
  result is abnormal
• Physician contacts the parents and arranges any
  follow-up testing necessary
• Immediate notification important for treatment in
  some disorders

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Results Reporting

• Follow-up
• Specialists throughout state aid in follow-up of
  abnormal results
• Refer to appropriate care center
• Many additional services required by children
  identified through NBS are supported by the
  surcharge fee

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Universal Newborn Hearing Screening

• Cooperative arrangement between the NBS lab and
  the Sounds Beginning Program at DPH
• NBS Blood collection card revised for recording
  hearing results began 5/02
• Follow-up and reporting will assist hospitals and
  assure appropriate care for affected babies

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Contact Information
City of Milwaukee-Health Dept Updated 8/02 HDG /
KHC

• Web Site http//www.slh.wisc.edu/newborn
• For parent brochures, call Wisconsin Division of
  Public Health [phone]
• For technical questions (collection, results,
  etc.) call WSLH Newborn Screening Laboratory
  [phone]