Screening newborns for congenital disorders

The Newborn Screening Laboratory at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) tests all newborn babies in the state of Wisconsin for 26 congenital disorders. The screening is mandated by state statute (253.13) and attempts to identify those babies at highest risk for any of the screened-for congenital disorders. The Newborn Screening Laboratory at the WSLH is part of the state's newborn screening program, a cooperative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, state birthing hospital staff, several public and private specialty clinics, primary care providers, and parents. Screening occurs within the first hours (median 38 hours) of life when a few drops of blood from the baby's heel is collected, applied to a special paper, dried, and sent to the WSLH for analysis. Those babies determined to have at-risk test results get repeat testing to confirm the initial test results and, if warranted, the baby is referred to a specialty clinic for a diagnostic work-up and treatment if necessary. Since its inception in the early 1960s, newborn screening in Wisconsin has saved approximately 1300 children from serious mental or other medical problems.