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Newborn screening tests - Risks

Alternative Names

Infant screening tests; Neonatal screening tests; The PKU test

What the risks are:

Risks for the newborn heel prick blood sample include pain and possible bruising at the site where the blood was obtained.

Special considerations:

Newborn testing is critical for the baby to receive treatment that may be life saving. However, not all disorders that can be detected by the screening tests can be treated.

Although states do not perform all screening tests, parents can have additional tests done by qualified laboratories at large medical centers. Private laboratories also offer newborn screening. Parents can find out about extra newborn screening tests from their physician or hospital where the baby will be born, as well as through organizations like the March of Dimes.

Reviewed last on: 6/18/2011
Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

American College of Medical Genetics Newborn Screening Expert Group. Newborn screening: toward a uniform screening panel and system--executive summary. Pediatrics. 2006 May;117(5 Pt 2):S296-307.

Morrow C et al. Reducing Neonatal Pain during Routine Heel Lance Procedures. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, November/December 2010; (35)6:346 – 354.

Smith L. Updated AAP Guidelines on Newborn Screening and Therapy for Congenital Hypothyroidism. Am Fam Physician. 2007; 76(3).

Levy PA. An overview of newborn screening. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2010 Sep;31(7):622-31.

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