Newborn Screening Laboratories

The Newborn Screening Laboratories (NBS) provide testing services in support of the Texas Newborn Screening Program. The program currently screens every infant born in Texas, testing for 27 disorders. Early detection and management of these disorders, which are caused by inherited genetic defects (with the exception of Hypothyroidism where only 15% of cases are inherited), prevents mental retardation and other catastrophic health problems in affected children. In most instances, the parents are unaware of being "silent carriers" for the genetic defect, and the diagnosis of a genetic disease in their newborn infant is unanticipated.

Newborn screening services began in late 1963 with a pilot for PKU screening, which became a mandatory test in 1965. With the addition of disorders over the years--expanding to the current total of 27 disorders--the Texas laboratory is now the largest of its type in the world. Abnormal results are communicated daily to the Newborn Screening Case Management Program that is responsible for follow-up and case management. Approximately 3,000 samples are analyzed daily, resulting in over 20 million test results annually.

NBS Program Resources

Related Links:

• Newborn Screening Voice Response System (VRS) allowing 24-hour access to results (PDF, 63k)
• Additional Guidance on Collection of Newborn Screening Specimens
• Screening The Critically Ill and Premature Infant
• Newborn Screening Case Management Home
  
• Texas Health Steps (THSteps) Newborn Screening Module - Online Provider Education 
  To access the newborn screening module: From the Provider Education Homepage, select "Available Courses" and follow the newborn screening link.

Contact Information:

• For general NBS program information:
  Call 1-888-963-7111 x 7333 or
  
  
• For laboratory results:
  Call 1-888-963-7111 x 7578