Newborn Screening (NBS)
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 conditions which pose a threat of severe illness, physical or developmental disability, or death.
The Georgia Newborn Screening Program collaborates with a network of medical systems and organizations to follow up with abnormal screening results.
- Emory University Newborn Screening Program
(Organic Acid Disorders, Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders, Amino Acid Disorders, Lysosomal Storage Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, and Other Disorders) - Augusta University Sickle Cell Program
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sickle Cell Program
- Grady Health System Sickle Cell Program
- Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia
- Hemophilia of Georgia
Newborn Screening Resources for:
Click + to Expand Resources for Each Audience
-
Parents and Caregivers
Newborn Screening Resources-
What
Every Parent Should Know brochure (2023)
- English and Spanish
DPH's brochure provides an overview of the newborn screening tests performed at birth.-
Blood
Screening brochure insert (2023)
- English and Spanish
DPH's insert provides additional information about the blood screening performed at birth that corresponds with the brochure.
-
Blood
Screening brochure insert (2023)
- English and Spanish
- DPH Newborn Screening Parents / Caregivers webpage
DPH's webpage provides newborn screening information and resources for parents and caregivers.
- DPH Newborn Resources webpage
DPH's webpage provides educational materials, condition-specific resources, and organization webpages.
How to Request Newborn Screening ResultsIndividuals seeking newborn results for themselves, their children, or need sickle cell test results for NCAA requirements, please email a completed 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 2007 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.
-
What
Every Parent Should Know brochure (2023)
- English and Spanish
-
Hospitals and Delivery Facilities
Parent / Caregiver Resources-
What
Every Parent Should Know brochure (2023)
- English and Spanish
DPH's brochure provides an overview of the newborn screening tests performed at birth.-
Blood
Screening brochure insert (2023
) - English and Spanish
DPH's insert provides additional information about the blood screening performed at birth that corresponds with the brochure.
*Email [email protected] to order brochures.
-
Blood
Screening brochure insert (2023
) - English and Spanish
-
Newborn
Hearing Screening Results and Recommendations Form (2024)
DPH's form can be used by delivery facilities and other providers to provide hearing results and recommendations to a child's parent or guardian.
Reporting Forms-
Declaration
of Religious Objection to Newborn Screening form (2023)
DPH's form can be used by delivery hospitals or facilities that do not have their own internal form to capture NBS refusals due to a religious objection.
-
Delayed Screening Report Form (2023)
DPH's form should be used to report delayed screening results for hearing and CCHD screenings that were not reported on the dried blood spot card at birth.
-
Children 1st Screening and Referral Form (2018)
DPH's form should be completed to report children from birth to five years of age with specific conditions and risks identified at birth to DPH's Children 1st Program
Accessing Newborn Screening Results
-
Authorization
for Release of Newborn Screening Report (2023)
DPH's form should be completed by the child's parent or legal guardian and submitted with proof of identify to the Georgia Newborn Screening Program.
-
DPH
Newborn Screening eReports Web Portal Access Request Form (2023)
Licensed physicians can request access to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory's web portal to access newborn screening results 24/7.- Providers seeking NBS results, please email [email protected] or fax a request to 404-657-2773 or register for Newborn Screening eReports Web Portal access.
Laboratory Resources- Georgia Public Health Laboratory Newborn Screening Unit
This link is to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory's Newborn Screening Unit webpage.
- Unsatisfactory Newborn Screening Card Result
This link is to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory's Newborn Screening Unit webpage and provides information about unsatisfactory newborn screening card results.
Order Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Cards and Envelopes
-
DPH's
Specimen Collection Outfit Order Form (2023)
- Order Newborn Screening Supplies
DPH's Specimen Collection Outfit Order Form should be completed to request newborn screening collection forms and mailing envelopes for newborn screening.
Newborn Screen Collection Forms and Mailing Envelopes for Newborn Screen are located on the bottom right of the form.
Training Resources
- DPH Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Training Video
DPH created a NBS training video that provides an overview of how to collect a dried blood spot specimen.
-
Georgia
Newborn Screening Policy and Procedure Manual (2014)
DPH's policy and procedure manual provides guidance on the implementation of newborn screening for genetic/metabolic, hearing, and critical congenital heart disease screening.
*An updated manual will be released in Spring 2024.
- National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management Newborn Hearing Training
- Newborn Screening Training Module – Specific to Georgia
-
What
Every Parent Should Know brochure (2023)
- English and Spanish
-
Medical Providers
Parent / Caregiver Resources-
What
Every Parent Should Know brochure (2023)
- English and Spanish
DPH's brochure provides an overview of the newborn screening tests performed at birth.-
Blood
Screening brochure insert (2023)
- English and Spanish
DPH's insert provides additional information about the blood screening performed at birth that corresponds with the brochure.
-
Blood
Screening brochure insert (2023)
- English and Spanish
-
Newborn
Hearing Screening Results and Recommendations Form (2024)
DPH's form can be used by delivery facilities and other providers to provide hearing results and recommendations to a child's parent or guardian.
Reporting Forms-
Delayed
Screening Report Form (2023)
DPH's form should be used to report delayed screening results for hearing and CCHD screenings that were not reported on the dried blood spot card at birth.
-
Children
1st Screening and Referral Form (2018)
DPH's form should be completed to report children from birth to five years of age with specific conditions and risks identified at birth to DPH's Children 1st Program.
Accessing and Requesting Newborn Screening Results-
Authorization
for Release of Newborn Screening Report (2023)
DPH's form should be completed by the child's parent or legal guardian and submitted with proof of identify to the Georgia Newborn Screening Program.
-
DPH
Newborn Screening eReports Web Portal Access Request Form (2023)
Licensed physicians can request access to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory's web portal to access newborn screening results 24/7.- Providers seeking NBS results, please email [email protected] or fax a request to 404-657-2773 or register for Newborn Screening eReports Web Portal access.
- Providers seeking NBS results, please email [email protected] or fax a request to 404-657-2773 or register for Newborn Screening eReports Web Portal access.
Laboratory Resources
- Georgia Public Health Laboratory Newborn Screening Unit
This link is to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory's Newborn Screening Unit webpage.
- Unsatisfactory Newborn Screening Card Result
This link is to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory's Newborn Screening Unit webpage and provides information about unsatisfactory newborn screening card results.
Order Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Cards and Envelopes
-
DPH's
Specimen Collection Outfit Order Form (2023)
- Order Newborn Screening Supplies
DPH's Specimen Collection Outfit Order Form should be completed to request newborn screening collection forms and mailing envelopes for newborn screening.
Newborn Screen Collection Forms and Mailing Envelopes for Newborn Screen are located on the bottom right of the form.
Training Resources:
- DPH Newborn Screening Specimen Collection Training Video
DPH created a NBS training video that provides an overview of how to collect a dried blood spot specimen.
-
Georgia
Newborn Screening Policy and Procedure Manual (2014)
DPH's policy and procedure manual provides guidance on the implementation of newborn screening for genetic/metabolic, hearing, and critical congenital heart disease screening.
*An updated manual will be released in Spring 2024.
- DPH Policies and Procedure webpage
DPH's webpage outlines healthcare provider responsibilities, collection guidance, and information about requesting newborn screening results from DPH.
-
What
Every Parent Should Know brochure (2023)
- English and Spanish
How to Request Newborn Screening Records:
Page last updated 4/2/2024