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| Site Directory: | Newborn Screening | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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• NBS News
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1610 NE 150th Street Shoreline, WA 98155 Phone: (206)418-5410 Fax: (206)418-5415 Office Hours: M-F 8-5 e-Mail: NBS.Prog@doh.wa.gov |
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What is the Office of Newborn Screening? We are a part of the Washington State Department of Health. We test babies born in Washington State for treatable disorders that have been determined by the State Board of Health to meet their criteria for inclusion in the screening panel. Babies with these conditions usually appear normal at birth. Without screening, babies with these disorders are not likely to be detected before disability or death occurs. Our testing and follow-up services allow early diagnosis and treatment. Expansion In May 2008, the State Board of Health unanimously approved adding 15 new disorders to the newborn screening panel in Washington State. We have been working hard to implement the changes as soon as possible. On July 21, 2008 we began screening for 14 of the new conditions. The last condition, tyrosinemia type I (TYR-I), requires a more complex testing procedure and was added September 22, 2008. No extra blood will be needed to test for the new conditions, and there will be no fee increase, as all 15 additional conditions can be tested at the same time by instruments used currently in our laboratory. The new conditions that have been added to the panel are:
What Do We Do? We track birth records to assure that babies are screened, and we do the laboratory testing. We advise health care providers about the tests, results, further testing needed and immediate steps to prevent harm. We follow these children over time to make sure they receive care to improve their lives. Finally, we provide information and training to parents and health care partners. In 2007, we performed over 2.4 million tests on more than 166,000 specimens for about 85,000 newborns. A total of 112 infants with one of the conditions on the screening list were identified and put on treatment early in life. This work is supported entirely by a one-time fee ($60.90) for each baby screened. We collect an additional $3.50 that helps to support the special clinics that are needed to treat affected children.
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10/21/2008 08:38 AM
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