Newborn Bloodspot Screening

New Jersey law requires that every baby born in New Jersey be screened for disorders that can cause serious health problems. All babies born in New Jersey are required to be tested for sixty-one (61) disorders within 48 hours of birth. One heel prick provides enough blood to test for all sixty-one disorders.

Newborn bloodspot screening is a comprehensive program that includes laboratory testing, follow-up of results, and if necessary, examination and treatment by a qualified specialist. Early detection and treatment of the disorders on the newborn screening panel can prevent lifelong disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, and life-threatening infections.

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Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital Heart Defects occur when a baby’s heart or blood vessels do not form properly during the pregnancy.  Heart defects are the most common birth defect.  Most babies are born with normal hearts, but approximately 9/1,000 are found to have some form of heart defect.  There are many types of heart defects ranging from mild to severe or critical.  Approximately 25% of babies with heart defects have a critical condition.  A critical congenital heart defect (CCHD) requires prompt diagnosis and treatment for the best outcome.  Babies with undetected critical congenital heart defects are at risk for death or significant disability.
 
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Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)

EHDI is a national public health initiative that supports screening and evaluating every newborn's hearing to detect hearing loss early on.  EHDI also supports early intervention enrollment for children diagnosed with hearing loss. 

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Genetic Services

Genetic services available in New Jersey include direct clinical care services as well as activities such as screening programs and laboratory services, education activities and birth defects surveillance. The State of New Jersey partially funds a network of Genetic Centers that provide testing, diagnosis, and ongoing management and comprehensive care of genetic conditions. Physicians specially trained in medical genetics, along with genetic counselors, nurses, social workers and other medical specialists provide comprehensive care to patients with genetic concerns.

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Newborn Screening Advisory Review Committee (NSARC).

To assist the DOH in reviewing newborn screening policies and procedures and advise the Commissioner of Health on matters affecting newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) processes in New Jersey. 

The Committee meets twice a year in the months of May and November via a virtual platform (until further notice)

All meetings are open to the public pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act at N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. 

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Program Highlights

New Jersey to Begin Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) on January 31, 2022 

New Disorder eLearning

Please click on the link below for more information on Newborn Bloodspot Screening. Insert your name and email address to view a video about prenatal education for expectant parents.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/
recording/4933247376685884930

 

Newborn Bloodspot Screening Result Requests - Providers Only

Healthcare Providers:

The New Jersey Newborn Screening Program is excited to introduce its online electronic results reporting system, Specimen Gate’s eReports. The eReports system is always available via the internet, thus providing a faster and more efficient means of transmitting test results to submitters and physicians.

As a New Jersey Department of Health resource, eReports will be accessible through the MyNewJersey portal, powered by the New Jersey Office of Information Technology.

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User Confidentiality Agreement

This program is part of

Family Health Services

Last Reviewed: 3/6/2024