Slide 1:Newborn Screening : Newborn Blood Screening


Slide 2:Why does my baby need Newborn Screening tests? A baby can be born seemingly healthy but may have a rare health problem. The best way to check the health of a newborn is through an initial blood test after birth. If any problems are found early, treatment options are readily available and can prevent serious problems like mental retardation or death.


Slide 3:How will my baby be tested for the Newborn Blood Screening? How will I receive the results of the test? Your baby’s doctor will receive the results from MMC. If there is a problem, parents will be directly notified of test results. Make sure to have your correct name and phone number of the baby’s doctor on file with MMC. Before leaving the Miami Maternity Center (MMC), on your second day visit, a few drops of blood will be taken from your baby’s heel and sent to a Newborn Screening Lab for testing.


Slide 4:Why do some babies need to have the blood screening repeated? Sometimes there can be a problem with the blood sample and the screening must be repeated with a new blood sample. If the initial blood screening shows a possible health problem, the screening must be repeated. The screening tests are very sensitive and can come out positive for a possible health problem even if there is no problem. If your baby needs to be re-screened, make sure to have it done as soon as possible. Some babies need to have their screening repeated within five days of age.


Slide 5:Disorders found by Newborn Blood Screening


Slide 6:Biotinidase Deficiency is when the body is unable to use the vitamin biotin, which can result in seizures, hearing loss, and in severe cases, death. Treatment is simple and involves daily doses of biotin. Before Treatment After Treatment


Slide 7:Endocrine Disorders are caused by absence or a decrease of certain hormones. Treatment involves lifelong hormone replacement therapy. CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA can result in vomiting, lethargy, poor feeding, death, and a female being identified as a male at birth. CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM can result in mental and growth retardation.


Slide 8:Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive lung disease with organ failures, lung problems, and food digestion problems. Treatment leads to decreased hospitalizations and better growth, development, and lung function. Galactosemia is the failure to break down the milk sugar galactose. This can lead to cataracts, liver cirrhosis, mental retardation, and/or death. Treatment is elimination of galactose from the diet, usually substituting with soy.


Slide 9:Amino Acid Disorders are caused by the body’s failure to break down certain proteins. If left untreated, the baby could suffer from poor feeding, vomiting, mental retardation, neurological symptoms, coma, and even death. Treatment may involve strict dietary management of the amino acid and medication. Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders are caused by the body’s failure to break down fatty acids to convert energy. If left undiagnosed, fatty acid disorders may result in excessive fat buildup in the liver, kidneys, and heart. If left untreated, low blood sugar, seizures, lethargy, vomiting, developmental delays, liver disease, coma, and death may occur. Treatment may include a special low fat diet , medicine, and close supervision by a metabolic specialist and dietician.


Slide 10:Hemoglobinopathies are disorders of the red blood cells. The baby can develop life threatening infections, pneumonia, pain episodes, and stroke. Family education, penicillin, immunizations, and treatment of acute illness improves the outcome of the baby. Organic Acidemias are a group of metabolic disorders that lead to a buildup of organic acids in blood and urine. Most of these disorders can be severe and are present within the first week of life. The baby can develop poor feeding, liver and kidney problems, mental retardation, and possibly death. Treatment involves a strict diet and medication for life.


Slide 11:Florida currently screens for : 7 amino acid disorders 10 fatty acid oxidation disorders 10 organic disorders 3 homoglobinopathies 1 in 4,000 newborns are born with cystic fibrosis. Caucasians are at an increased risk. 1 in 2,500 newborns are born with Sickle Cell disease. Persons of African and Mediterranean descent are at an increased risk. All disorders except for hypothyroidism are inherited from the parents. Did you know…


Slide 12:Newborn Screening: Newborn Hearing Screening


Slide 13:Hearing loss is a defect in the way a newborn hears. Treatment may involve the use of hearing aids or other listening devices and early intervention services. Automated Auditory Brainstem Response Otoacoustic Emissions


Slide 15:Why should my baby’s hearing be tested? All babies are tested to find those baby’s who are unable to hear. If hearing loss is detected early, there are many ways your baby can be helped. What should I know about the Newborn Hearing Test? The test is safe and painless and takes about 10 minutes to complete. The test results are available immediately. Make sure to have the correct name of your baby’s doctor on file so that a copy of the results can be placed in the baby’s record. Newborn Hearing Screening Rates, 1999-2005


Slide 16:Why do some babies need another hearing test? Some babies may need another test because of fluid in the ear, noise in the testing room, the baby was moving a lot during the test, or because the baby has hearing loss. If your baby does not pass the hearing test, make sure he or she is tested again as soon as possible. Can a newborn baby pass the hearing test and still have hearing loss? Yes, some babies will hear well enough to pass the first test but loose their hearing later on due to some illness, medicines, injuries, or a family history of hearing loss.


Slide 17:IS YOUR BABY’S HEARING ON TRACK?


Slide 18:BIRTH- 3 MONTHS Jumps or blinks to loud sounds Wakes up to loud sounds Quiets or smiles when spoken to Makes vowel sounds like “ahhh”


Slide 19:3-6 MONTHS Looks for sounds with eyes Starts babbling “baba”, “mama”, “gaga” Responds to your voice Enjoys toys that make noise Uses a variety of sounds, squeals, chuckles


Slide 20:6-9 MONTHS Turns head towards loud sounds Responds to his or her name Begins to imitate speech sounds Understands “no-no” or “bye-bye”


Slide 21:Find out if Florida’s KidCare health insurance is right for your baby. Visit: www.floridakidcare.org or call 1-888-540-5437


Slide 22:If you have any questions, please feel free to ask the staff of MMC. We carry free brochures that can provide you with further information. Please do not hesitate to ask!!


Slide 23:This information has been brought to you by: Miami Maternity Center Newborn Screening Children’s Medical Services The Florida Department of Health