No matter how healthy a newborn might look, it's essential they are checked for unexpected medical conditions. Newborn screening is the practice of testing every newborn for certain harmful or potentially fatal disorders that aren't otherwise apparent at birth. When such conditions are detected early, diagnosed and treated, newborns stand a much better chance of avoiding disabilities and living a full, productive life.
The SC Department of Public Health (DPH) Newborn Screening Program now screens for 56 disorders. The lab test panel that checks for hidden health disorders in newborns is called Newborn Bloodspot Screening.
The program originally began testing for just one disorder, phenylketonuria (PKU). The test panel has since evolved to include multiple disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF), congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), hemoglobin diseases and traits such as sickle cell, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), various inborn errors of metabolism, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Krabbe Disease, and most recently X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) and Argininemia.
Announcements
Changes in Newborn Screening Hemoglobinopathy Reporting
Newborn Screening to Include Krabbe Screening
New Expected Ranges for Newborn Screening AA, SA, and AC Analytes
2-21-2024 Updated Expected Ranges for Newborn Screening Analytes
4-10-2024 Updates & New Disorders Added to Newborn Screening Panel, X-ALD and Argininemia
For a complete list and description, please see the Newborn Screening Manual: