Newborn Screening: Improving Outcomes

In the last five decades, newborn screening has become a well-defined, nationwide prevention program. Each year, more than 4 million newborns in the United States are screened for hearing loss and certain genetic, endocrine, and metabolic disorders. Through early identification and treatment, newborn screening provides an opportunity for significant reductions in morbidity and mortality while reducing health care costs associated with treatment of lifelong debilitating conditions. Technological improvements and partner collaboration have led to the expansion and increased uniformity of screening as well as enhanced laboratory and data systems that provide better surveillance, tracking, and research.

Although newborn screening has improved and expanded in recent years, particular challenges remain with laboratory and data collection issues. Many state laboratories are being asked to do more screening with fewer resources, providing a need for innovation in areas such as automation, multiplex and molecular testing, and quality assurance. Improvements are also needed in data systems to track follow-up and management of children with disorders identified through newborn screening.

This session of CDC’s Public Health Grand Rounds addressed these challenges while discussed effective strategies to meet the promise that newborn screening holds for all children.