Programs
FAQs for Blood
What is blood spot screening?
Blood spot screening tests babies to determine whether they are at risk for 32 conditions that may not be detectable by a doctor’s examination. Click here for a list of the conditions that are screened for in Kansas. Kansas statutes require that every baby born in the state of Kansas receive a blood spot screen at no cost to families. Kansas is an “Opt Out State”, so parents may refuse the screening for religious or other reasons.
Why is blood spot screening important?
Blood spot screening saves lives! Some conditions can cause death or disability in as little as 5 days [Insert link to Time Critical Conditions (HERE)] Detecting these conditions early can also help prevent permanent disability through early intervention and gives babies their best potential to achieve a healthy and full life. When a baby’s screening results are abnormal or out-of-range, additional testing is needed to confirm or rule out the initial results.
When should blood spot screening be performed?
State recommendations for blood spot collection are between 24 and 48 hours of age. Collection as close to 24 hours after birth is recommended due to the time critical disorders on the screening panel. Before the 24-hour mark, the baby hasn’t had enough time to establish their own analyte levels independent from the mother. If a collection is performed before 24 hours, another collection must be completed once the baby is at least 24 hours of age to yield valid results. If your newborn is admitted to the NICU, then a collection will likely be obtained prior to 24 hours of age. Each NICU has their own policy and may collect up to 4 specimens during the baby’s time in the NICU.
How is the blood spot screening performed?
Blood spots are collected by a healthcare professional trained in the collection process. The blood is collected on a specific type of filter paper. Once the specimen has dried, it is sent to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories (KHEL) by express mail or courier and should arrive within 24 hours of collection.
KHEL then tests the specimens on various devices and instruments validated for newborn screening. If one or more of the screens return with an out-of-range result, the Newborn Screening Follow-Up Program notifies the child’s parents and primary care provider that the baby needs additional testing.