Newborn Screening Program Information:
Blood Spots and Test Results: Retention Practices

The Minnesota legislature made changes to Minnesota's newborn screening law in 2014. These changes directed that blood spot and blood spot test result retention practices be determined by when the blood spots were collected.

Blood spots collected on or after August 1, 2014 and their test results

As of August 1, 2014, the Newborn Screening Program may store blood spots collected on or after August 1, 2014 and their test results indefinitely and may use them for program operations as defined by Minnesota Statute 144.125. Blood spots collected on or after August 1, 2014 and their test results are automatically retained securely by the program unless a parent or guardian directs MDH to destroy them.

Blood spots collected before August 1, 2014 and their test results

Newborn screening bloodspots collected before August 1, 2014 and their test results have been destroyed according to earlier statutory requirements. The only exceptions are if a parent has provided written consent for long-term storage and use of her or his child's blood spots and test results.

Hearing screening and CCHD screening test results

Retention practices for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) results are the same as those for blood spot screening test results. Minnesota law (144.966) specifies a different retention practice for hearing screening test results. Unless parents direct MDH to destroy them, hearing screening test results are stored for a period not to exceed 18 years from the infant's date of birth.

For more information about parental options regarding the retention and/or destruction of test results and blood spots, please refer to the Parental Options page.