Newborn screening is a public health service that checks for developmental, genetic, and metabolic disorders in newborn babies. The screening is done soon after birth, usually before the baby leaves the hospital, and involves a few drops of blood taken from the babys heel. The blood is tested for rare but serious health conditions that are mostly treatable if caught early. The types of tests done vary from state to state, and each state decides which tests are required. Most newborn screening tests are normal, but if a result is not normal, the baby gets a different kind of test called a diagnostic test.

Newborn screening includes blood, hearing, and heart screening. The blood test is the most common and checks for rare but serious health conditions. The hearing test checks for hearing loss, and the heart screening checks for critical congenital heart disease. Some states require that babies have newborn screening again about 1 to 2 weeks later.

Early detection, diagnosis, and intervention through newborn screening can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential. Health conditions that are found early with newborn screening often can be treated, and early treatment is important because it may help prevent more serious health problems for the baby.