Newborn Blood Test Can Be A Lifesaver
One simple blood test can detect 29 serious and relatively rare diseases. So what are the chances your newborn will be tested? The March of Dimes says it depends where you live.
Dr. Jennifer Howse, the president of the March of Dimes, joined The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm Tuesday to talk about this very simple but important test.
Asked what the test requires, Howse explains all that is needed is a little drop of blood from the baby, taken after birth. At the lab, all of the tests can be done on that one sample.
The test can detect 29 diseases, including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell. Howse notes that some of the diseases are very rare disorders.
"These are mostly metabolic disorders. Even though they are rare they serious and can result in permanent brain damage and, in some cases, can involve infant death so it's quite a severe consequence," Howse explains.
When detected early, Howse says all of these diseases can be treated. "All of the tests on this list have effective treatment and they can be detected in a newborn and that is why it's so important that states continue their progress to expand their newborn screening programs," she says.
The March of Dimes recently conducted a study on states' screening progress. Howse says the results of the study are promising.
"Last year when we did the March of Dimes report card, only 38 percent of babies were getting 21 or more of these tests. This year, that number is almost doubled," Howse says, adding "Sixty-four percent of our babies or more are getting 21 or more of these tests. States are really making progress in these area."
Howse says 31 states are currently testing for 20 more of these diseases. "Progress is going on in the remaining states. Real efforts by the state health departments and the legislatures so we're quite convinced we can get the job done in the next year or two as a nation," she says.
"What if you're in a state and you're about to have a baby, you don't know whether your state requires this. What can you do as a parent?" Storm asks.
"The best thing to do is while you're pregnant, talk with your doctor and find out what tests are done in your state. You can go on the March of Dimes Web site and find that out. If your state doesn't do automatically all of the tests you can make arrangements for private testing before you go into the hospital. It costs about $100," Howse says.
Asked if there are any risks involved with the simple blood test, Howse says: "States have been doing screening programs for decades but just a few of the conditions. So there's nothing new involved. It should be an automatic process during your two-day stay in the hospital with the baby. And we think that day is right around the corner and really praise the states for the excellent work they've done."
So while the test is not risky, Howse says there is a downside, if your child is not tested. "If your child is not tested and the condition is not detected, although the disorders are rare, the consequences are severe, including infant death and permanent disability."