minnesota newborn screening program

About Newborn Screening

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How Newborn Screening Works
Newborn Screening in Minnesota

How Newborn Screening Works

Below is a step-by-step guide to newborn screening created by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). A guide to newborn hearing screening is listed separately below.

Step-by step guide to Newborn Screening

  • When your baby is between 24 and 48 hours old, a nurse or other health provider will provide you with information about newborn screening and take a few drops of blood from your baby's heel.
  • The hospital will put the drops of blood onto a special newborn screening card.
    Image of Dried Blood Spots on Newborn Screening Card
  • Along with the drops of blood, the hospital will write information about your baby on the card. This information includes your baby's name, weight, mother's name, and the name of the doctor that will be taking care of your baby.
  • The newborn screening card is then sent to the Minnesota Department of Health to test your baby's blood for more than 50 disorders.
  • If your baby's test is positive, staff members from MDH will call your baby's doctor about the results. Your baby's doctor will then call you to set up a follow-up appointment.
  • If your baby's test is borderline, staff members from MDH will call your baby's doctor about the results. At your next well baby visit, your doctor will repeat the newborn screen.
  • If your baby's test is negative, the results will be sent to the hospital and will be put in your baby's medical chart.
  • The leftover blood sample will be kept for 71 days and then will be destroyed. The results will be destroyed after two years. If the Department wants to store the sample or results longer, the Department will need your written informed consent.

Step-by-step guide to Newborn Hearing Screening

  • Before your baby leaves the hospital, simple tests will be done to check your baby's hearing.
  • While your baby is asleep, a nurse or other health staff member will use special computerized equipment to check your baby's hearing.
  • If your baby does not pass the hearing test, another hearing test needs to be done. The nurse or hospital will help you set-up an appointment to have your baby's hearing rechecked.
  • If your baby's next hearing test also has a refer result, your baby will need to see an audiologist. The audiologist specializes in testing for hearing loss and has more sensitive equipment to tell whether your baby is hearing or if the baby has a confirmed hearing loss.
  • If your baby gets a pass result, it is unlikely that your baby has hearing loss, but you should continue to monitor your baby's hearing and language. Some forms of hearing loss do not show up until after your baby is older.
  • The results of all your baby's hearing tests are sent to MDH.

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Newborn Screening in Minnesota

Since 1965, the Minnesota Department of Health has screened Minnesota newborns soon after birth to see if they are at risk for hidden, rare disorders. Without treatment, these disorders can lead to illness, physical disability, mental retardation, or death. Medications or changes in diet help prevent most health problems caused by disorders that are identified through newborn screening.

Minnesota is a national leader in newborn screening, and the Minnesota Department of Health together with hospitals, laboratories, and medical professionals across the state screen for hearing loss and 53 disorders that may affect an infant's metabolism, endocrine system, blood, breathing, hearing, or digestion.

Parents and legal guardians may choose to have the specimen and the results destroyed after screening or may refuse screening of their child altogether.

Newborn Screening Laws in Minnesota

In Minnesota, newborn screening is mandated by Minnesota Statutes 144.125-144.128 and governed by Minnesota Rules 4615-0300 - 4615.0760. All infants must have newborn screening unless a parent objects in writing. Newborn screening can save babies' lives and protect babies' health. Risks of not screening are serious and can include death and permanent health problems.

In 2007 legislation passed (MN Statute 144.966) requiring that all newborns have their hearing screen before hospital discharge. All infants should have newborn hearing screening unless a parent objects in writing. Newborn hearing screening can help find babies who can benefit from early intervention. Refusing newborn hearing screening can result in communication and language delays.

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Updated Thursday, 19-Jan-2012 12:45:25 CST