minnesota newborn screening program

Understanding My Baby's Results

On this page:
Newborn Screening Results
Positive Results
Borderline Results
Normal (Negative Results)

Newborn Hearing Results
Refer Results
Pass Results

The easiest way to get your baby’s newborn screening results is to ask your baby’s doctor.

Once your baby’s sample arrives at the Newborn Screening Program, screening takes several days.

If your baby has a POSITIVE result:

  • Your baby's doctor will call you and explain the next steps
  • More testing is usually needed to know if the baby has the disorder
    • Further lab work or hearing testing will quickly determine if your baby has a hearing loss or other disorder
  • Babies who have a disorder identified by newborn screening need special treatment
  • Following up with your doctor is very important to your baby's health.

Disorder Information

If your baby has a BORDERLINE result:

  • Staff at newborn screening program will call your baby's doctor or clinic to let them know about the result
  • Your baby's doctor will contact you to arrange for a repeat newborn screen.

Borderline Newborn Screening Results Fact Sheet (PDF: 130KB/1 page)

If the results are NORMAL:

  • Results are mailed back to the birth hospital
  • Birth hospital forwards results to your baby’s doctor
    • During your hospital stay, make sure you give the hospital staff the name of your baby’s doctor or clinic so results can be sent promptly.

If your baby has a REFER hearing screen:

  • Hospital will notify you and your baby's doctor
  • Hospital staff can help you set-up an appointment to have your baby's hearing rechecked
    • Getting your baby's hearing checked again is important so you find out if your baby has a hearing loss
  • The hearing rescreen should be scheduled about 2 weeks after your baby leaves the hospital
    • It may be helpful to schedule your baby's rescreen at the same time as your baby's 2 week checkup.

Hearing Loss Information

If your baby PASSES the hearing screen:

  • Hospital will send the results to your baby's doctor or clinic
  • Though it is unlikely your baby has a hearing loss, it is important to monitor your child and make sure language milestones are being met.

Hearing and Language Milestone Checklist - English (PDF: 51KB/1 page)
Hearing and Language Milestone Checklist - Hmong (PDF: 32KB/1 page)
Hearing and Language Milestone Checklist - Somali (PDF: 32KB/1 page)
Hearing and Language Milestone Checklist - Spanish (PDF: 59KB/1 page)

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Updated Sunday, 29-Jul-2012 16:31:43 CDT