Health Department expanding tests for newborns

By The Associated Press

Arkansas embarks on a program July 1 that will take the state from among the bottom ranks to the top in terms of screening newborns for diseases that can cause lifelong health problems, mental retardation or even death.

State health officials announced Tuesday the state will expand its testing services of newly born babies from seven disorders to a total of 29. With the $3.5 million initiative, Arkansas will join the 19 states and Washington, D.C., that currently require testing newborns for 29 genetic disorders.

"The newborn screening expansion is giving Arkansas parents and their children a chance at a healthier start in life," Dr. Paul Halverson, state health department director, said at a news conference at the March of Dimes office.

Hospitals statewide are participating in the initiative. After a birth, blood will be collected using a needle prick to the baby's heel. The blood sample are sent to the state Health Department laboratory in Little Rock, which will conduct the tests and notify the hospital and the mother's primary care physician of the results.

"There's no risk to babies. Most likely the test results will be normal," Halverson said.

The fee for the screening - $89.25 up from $14.93 - will be built into the hospital billing.

Women who deliver at home can arrange beforehand for the screening with the help of local health professionals, said Dr. Richard Nugent, chief of the health department's family health branch.

"It is so, so important to get your baby screened," he said.

Arkansas currently tests for phenylketouria (PKU), galactosemia, sickle cell anemia, congenital hypothyroidism and hearing loss. Early detection and treatment prevents or relieves these disorders.

Read a full story in Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.