September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month. Newborn screening is just one of many things that will happen in the first few days after a baby is born. Newborns in Kansas are screened for thirty-four conditions within the first few days after birth. A “heel stick” provides blood drops that are collected on sterile, absorbent filter paper. Kansas screenings also include a hearing test and measure the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood to identify infants who need to see a heart specialist immediately; neither of these tests require a blood spot.
Newborn screening is a way to identify babies who may have serious medical conditions. Early treatment of these conditions can prevent more serious illness, disability, or death. Amberwell Atchison and Amberwell Hiawatha participate in newborn screening. Be sure to ask your OB provider any questions you might have about newborn screening. Your provider knows you and can be a helpful resource.
