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NEW:  Timing of Collection

5.1. WV Code §16-22-3 requires that all infants born in the state be screened for detection and control of diseases in newborn children as listed in sections 4 and 6 of this rule. 

A specimen should be collected at greater than 24 hours of age or before the infant is discharged from the hospital regardless of age. Collect a specimen no later than 7 days of age.  

Refer to Legislative Rules

OVERVIEW ON CURRENT NEWBORN DISORDERS SCREENED

 LIST OF DISORDERS BEING SCREENED
FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION SELECT A TAB ON THE LEFT

SYSTEM CHANGES

NEWBORN SCREENING - BILLING AND CPT CODES - Updated October 22, 2018 

Addition of Lysosomal Storage Disorders - Updated July 20, 2023 new

Pulse Oximetry - Identifying Its Applications, Coding, and Reimbursement

BABY'S FIRST TEST

Critical Congenital Heart Defects


To help protect newborn infants from intellectual disabilities and other severe health problems, West Virginia state law requires that all infants be screened for certain disorders that when detected and treated early can prevent the harmful and developmental effects of those diseases.  Prior to leaving the hospital (or after a home birth) babies will receive screening for the newborn disorder.  The test requires a few drops of blood obtained from a heel stick.

The tests done in the hospital (or with the home birth kit) are "screening" tests. If a baby needs repeat testing, it is important that the baby return to the hospital, doctor, or clinic right away. Testing may need to be repeated because the initial test results were questionable.  This does not automatically mean the child has a metabolic disorder.

Before leaving the hospital or birth center, parents are asked for the name and address of the doctor or clinic that will be caring for the baby. That doctor or clinic will receive a report of the baby's test results. Parents are encouraged to check with the child’s doctor to find out the results and ask whether a repeat test is needed.

The 78th West Virginia Legislature passed in this session, H. B. 2583 which mandates the expansion of newborn screening to include 29 disorders.

The West Virginia Newborn Screening Program, housed within the Office of Maternal, Child, and Family Health and the Office of Laboratory Services, both  within the Bureau for Public Health, has expanded newborn screening to include twenty-nine (29) disorders in order to adhere to national standards recommended by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases. Of the twenty-nine (29) recommended disorders, West Virginia currently screens for all 29 disorders. Newborn hearing screening is a separate WV Program that began universally screening all newborns in West Virginia in 2000 before discharge from the hospital. The cost of newborn hearing screening is captured under the hospital's maternity DRG charge that is paid for by the insurance companies.

The site last updated:  December 27, 2023

                                                    

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