Blood tests for newborns

Before leaving the hospital, your baby will have a blood test. California law requires that your baby have an expanded Newborn Screening Test. This mandatory screening will test for many metabolic, hormone and blood disorders. Please refer to the “Information for Parents about the Newborn Screening Test” brochure provided by your health care provider.

Make Sure Your Baby is Tested
Babies can look very healthy at birth and still have a disorder. Your baby will be tested before leaving the hospital or before he/she is six days old. Ask your baby’s health care provider to make sure the test is done. Blood should not be drawn before your baby is 12 hours old, or the test will need to be done over again.

Babies not born in the hospital must also have the Newborn Screening Test.

The tests are safe
The blood tests are simple and safe. Blood will be taken from your baby’s heel and sent to a State-approved lab for testing.

How can I get the test results?
You can get the results from your baby’s health care provider several weeks after the tests are performed. If your baby needs more tests, you will receive a letter or phone call.

More Information
You can also read about this mandatory screening test on the California Department of Health Services web site:
Newborn screening test
List of disorders and descriptions

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