minnesota newborn screening program

Homebirths - Ordering Newborn Screening Cards

Ordering Newborn Screening Cards

Homebirth practitioners and parents can order newborn screening cards by mailing a completed “Purchase/Replacement Request Form for Newborn Screening Specimen Cards” to MDH Newborn Form Orders at the address below, along with a check payable to “Treasurer, State of Minnesota”.

Each specimen card costs $106 and a check must be submitted with the order form.

Mailing address:

MDH NEWBORN FORM ORDERS
P.O. Box 64496
St. Paul, MN 55164-0496

Purchase/Replacement Request form (PDF: 35KB/1 page) can be downloaded as a PDF or obtained by calling (800) 664-7772.

Types of Screening Cards

Two types of specimen cards can be ordered using this form:

  • white newborn screening cards
    White newborn screening cards are the standard specimen cards.
  • yellow NICU newborn screening cards
    Yellow NICU newborn screening cards are specifically for babies weighing less than 1800 grams at the time of birth who require care in designated NICUs.

Under Part 2 of the Purchase/Replacement Request form (PDF: 35KB/1 page), you will be asked to indicate how many white newborn screening cards and how many yellow NICU newborn screening cards you would like to order. Specimens from planned homebirths should always be collected on white cards.

For Planned Homebirths

Some midwifes purchase newborn screening cards from MDH for their clients. Communicate with your midwife to determine which of you will be purchasing the card from MDH. If your midwife does not have a newborn screening card available, you can purchase one from MDH. To do this, please submit a check made payable to “Treasurer, State of Minnesota” along with the order blank form listed above. Parents should order the card as soon as possible, in case the baby arrives sooner than expected. If parents order the card themselves, the midwife may still want to have at least one card available for back-up should there be a problem with the collection.

Voided Card Replacement Procedure

If there is a problem with the collection or a card is damaged, it can be returned to the Newborn Screening Program and a free replacement card can be requested. Follow these steps to return cards for replacement:

  • Write VOID on the face of any cards being returned
  • Remove the filter paper portion of the card, especially if it has blood on it
  • Fill out the Purchase/Replacement Request form, Parts 1 & 3
    Purchase/Replacement Request form (PDF: 35KB/1 page)
  • Mail to the address on the form (DO NOT mail along with routine specimens):
    • MDH Newborn Form Orders
    • PO Box 64496
    • St. Paul, MN 55164-0496
Updated Friday, 10-Dec-2010 08:45:57 CST