Newborn Screening (NBS)

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Newborn screening (NBS) identifies potentially serious and life-threatening conditions within the first days of a newborn’s life.  Most babies appear healthy and show no signs of illness right after birth. However, some infants may be born with certain disorders or inherited genetic conditions that can lead to disability or death. When detected early, many of these disorders can be managed and can prevent the occurrence of adverse health outcomes. 

The Georgia Newborn Screening Program ensures that every newborn in Georgia has a blood screening, hearing screening, and critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening at birth to identify certain Download this pdf file. conditions which pose a threat of severe illness, physical or developmental disability, or death.

Blood Screening

Dried Blood Spot - A few drops of blood are collected from the newborn’s heel at 24 hours of age and sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for testing of over 30 heritable conditions.

Hearing Screening

Soft sounds are delivered to each ear to measure response to sounds prior to hospital discharge.

Cardiac Screening

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Screening -  Pulse oximetry testing is conducted by placing a sensor on the newborn’s right hand and foot to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.

The Georgia Newborn Screening Program contracts with a network of medical systems and organizations to follow up with abnormal screening results.

Newborn Screening Resources for Specific Audiences:

Click + to Expand Resources for Each Audience

  • Parents and Caregivers

    Newborn Screening Resources for Parents and Caregivers


    How to Request Newborn Screening Results

    Individuals seeking newborn results for themselves, their children, or need sickle cell test results for NCAA requirements, please email a completed   Download this pdf file. Authorization for Release of Newborn Screening Report form  along with proof of identity to [email protected]

    Proof of identity: All newborn screening record requests must be accompanied by document(s) that identify the person requesting the newborn screening record. Examples of acceptable forms of identification include: a state-issued photo driver’s license with address, a state-issued photo identification card with address, a U.S./Foreign passport or passport card with a photo, a school ID, or a Green Card, etc. Please ensure the copy of identification submitted is unexpired and legible. If the record requested is for a minor under 18 years of age, please state your relationship to the minor in the "Requestor’s Relationship" field.

    *Please note that newborn screening records collected prior to 2006 may not be available through DPH. 

    • The child's delivery hospital or pediatric provider may be contacted to request a copy. 
    • If the sickle cell test result is unavailable, testing can be coordinated through a private medical provider.
  • Hospitals and Delivery Facilities

    Newborn Screening  Provider Resources

  • Medical Providers

    Newborn Screening Provider Resources


How to Request Newborn Screening Records:

Individuals seeking NBS results for themselves or their children, please email a completed Authorization for Release of Newborn Screening Report along with proof of identity to [email protected]

Click on Newborn Screening Resources for Parent or Hospitals / Medical Providers (above) to review the required documentation for release of NBS records

Georgia Newborn Screening Policy and Procedure Manual

DPH's Newborn Screening Policy and Procedure Manual provides guidance on the implementation of newborn screening for genetic/metabolic, hearing, and critical congenital heart disease screening.

Georgia Newborn Screening Program Annual Report

The Georgia Newborn Screening Program Annual Report summarizes genetic, hearing, and cardiac screening data for infants born in 2022.

Page last updated 6/20/2024