NBS Parents / Caregivers

These screenings will be completed soon after your baby is born to check your baby's blood, heart, and hearing.

Blood Screening (Dried Blood Spot):

• Within 1-2 days of birth, a few drops of blood are taken from your baby's heel and tested for over 35 serious disorders that can lead to disability or even death if not identified early in a baby’s life.
• Results are typically available within 7-10 days after testing was completed.
• If your baby needs a second test, bring them into their doctor’s office as soon as you can. Quick action is very important to help protect your baby.

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Screening (Pulse Oximetry):

• A small sensor is placed on your baby's hand and foot to check the oxygen levels in their blood and look for heart issues.
• This test is quick and doesn’t cause any discomfort.
• Results are available immediately after completion of the test.
• If any heart issues are suspected, your baby will be referred or transferred to a specialist for more tests and treatment.

Hearing Screening:

• Majority of babies with hearing loss are born to hearing parents.
• Soft sounds are played in your baby's ears and responses are measured.
• It is safe and painless and is the most efficient way to know if your baby can hear.
• Results are available immediately after completion of the test.
• If your baby fails the initial hearing screening at birth, it may be repeated once more. If failed again, schedule an outpatient hearing screening as soon as possible (ideally before 1 month of age).

Amino Acid Disorders: These affect how the body breaks down proteins, which are important for growth and development. Treatment might involve a special diet and medication.

Endocrine Disorders: These affect hormones that control body functions. Medication helps prevent complications.

Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders: These impact energy production and can harm organs. Treatment includes diet changes and supplements.

Hemoglobin Disorders: They affect how blood cells carry oxygen. Early detection helps manage care.

Lysosomal Storage Disorders: These prevent the breakdown of sugars and fats, harming cells and organs. Treatments include therapy and medication.

Organic Acid Disorders: They cause harmful acid buildup. Treatment involves diet changes and use of specific vitamins.

Other Disorders: Various conditions that have different treatments and interventions.  Some of the conditions include Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Krabbe disease (KD), and Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies (SCID).

A list of the current conditions included in Georgia’s newborn screening panel can be found at www.dph.ga.gov/NBS.

If the result is positive, abnormal, or inconclusive, your baby might have one of the conditions or needs additional testing to confirm. While newborn screening is usually accurate, it's not always perfect. If you're worried about your baby's health or have questions about the results, talk to your doctor.

Critical Congenital Heart Disease and Hearing Screening results should be shared with you immediately after the test. Blood screening results should be available a week after collection and are provided to the birthing facility and the primary care doctor on record at the time of collection.  Ask your baby’s primary care doctor for a copy of the results.  Georgia’s Newborn Screening Program will contact your baby’s doctor sooner if there are any concerns.

A copy of your baby’s newborn screening report can be requested through the Georgia Newborn Screening Program.  Visit www.dph.ga.gov/NBS to learn more about requesting a report.

The Georgia Newborn Screening Program contracts with Augusta University, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia to provide follow-up services to newborns with a positive newborn screening result for specific genetic conditions, sickle cell disease, or sickle cell trait. You may receive a phone call or letter from these organizations if you do not have a medical home or have been unable to contact by phone.  It's important to follow-up as soon as possible to make sure your child receives needed care.

Contact Information:

• Emory Newborn Screening Follow-up Program
  Contact Number: (404) 778-8560
  Fax Number: (404) 778-8564
  www.med.emory.edu/departments/human-genetics/patient-care/newborn-screening.html
   
• Augusta University - Newborn Screening Sickle Cell Follow-Up Program
  Contact Number: (706) 721-6251
  Fax Number: (706) 721-5769
  www.augustahealth.org
   
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Newborn Screening Sickle Cell Follow-Up Program
  Contact Number: (404) 785-1087
  Fax Number: (404) 553-9813
  www.choa.org
   
• Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia - Sickle Cell Trait Follow-up Program and Sickle Cell Assistance Services
  Contact Number: (404) 755-1641
  Parent Education: (404) 755-1641 extension 203 or extension 235
  Family Services and Support: (404) 755-1642 extension 234
  Fax Number: (404) 755-7955
  www.sicklecellga.org 

If you have additional questions or need more information regarding newborn screening, visit the resources below:

• Baby's First Test
  Baby's First Test is the nation's newborn screening education resource center for families and health professionals. 
   
• Newborn Screening Tests for Your Baby
  Source:  March of Dimes
   
• Newborn Screening Resources for Families
  Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Georgia Department of Public Health Code Rule 511-5-5 mandates that all newborn babies in Georgia are promptly tested for certain conditions which pose a threat of severe illness, physical or developmental disability, or death. Newborn screening testing includes blood screening, hearing screening, and screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Babies born outside of a hospital, birthing center, or other healthcare facility are also required to be screened. 

Parents or legal guardians can decline newborn screening on the ground that such tests and treatment conflict with their religious beliefs as outlined in Rule 511-5-5-.03.

A Declaration of Religious Objection to Newborn Screening form must be completed to indicate refusal of newborn screening due to religious reasons. The signed form shall be retained in the child’s medical record for the period of time defined by the hospital or provider policy.