The State of New Mexico mandates two Newborn Screens be collected on every Newborn born in New Mexico. The Newborn Screen is a blood test that is initially done between 24- 48 hours of age and the second Newborn Screen is done 10 – 14 days after birth. The New Mexico Newborn Screening Program (NMNBSP) offers screening for genetic/metabolic/endocrine and other disorders (see Newborn Screening Test Information) and provides services to over 22,000 and their families annually.
New Mexico Newborn Screening Program continues to partner with Mountain States Genetics Regional Collaborative and has also contracted with Oregon State Public Health Laboratory for testing.
Why Do We Screen?
Babies with these conditions appear normal at birth. It is only with time that the conditions affect the baby’s brain or physical development or causes other medical problems. By then the damage may be permanent. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in normal growth and development and can reduce morbidity and mortality.
Follow-Up Services
- New Mexico Newborn Screening Program has 2 Registered Nurses.
- New Mexico Newborn Screening can help prevent developmental delay, physical disability, and death in babies that look and act healthy but have a rare health problem.
- Newborn Genetic Screening Nurses are involved in the process of screening, follow-up, education, case coordination and medical care referrals.
- New Mexico Newborn Screening Program has an established relationship with the UNM Department of Pediatrics at the UNM Health Science Center/Children’s Hospital.
- Children’s Medical Services (CMS) provides clinical long-term follow-up for children that have been identified with a disorder on the newborn screening panel. Children are followed from the time of diagnosis to the age of 21.
- CMS has social workers in health offices throughout the state. Medical Social Workers provide service coordination for children and youth with special health care needs.
- CMS has an Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program and provides some adult metabolic disease services.
Healthcare Providers & Hospitals
Practitioner's Manual
Provides a wealth of information for the newborn screening practitioner including screening essentials, conditions included in the screening panel, summary of conditions, criteria for requesting follow-up specimens, screening practices, recommendations for specimen collection, unsatisfactory specimens, reporting results, problems in screening practice, educational services, fees and screening kit information, exemptions, and more.
Test Information
Our Newborn Screening Test Information document offers a comprehensive listing all of the conditions and disorders which the newborn screening program currently tests for.
Newborn Genetic Screening Training
Procedure
The Newborn Screening Packing & Shipping Procedure then explains how to pack and ship specimens to the newborn screening program.
Transfusions
Collect a specimen for the Newborn Screening test before giving blood to an infant Why? If there’s a transfusion before the first newborn screening specimen is collected, it can affect results for Galactosemia, Biotinidase Deficiency, Hemoglobinopathies and Lysosomal disorders.
Parents That Choose Not To Have Newborn Screening
- Contact New Mexico Newborn Screening Program for a Newborn Screening Test Refusal form.
- Review Newborn Screening Test Refusal form with parent.
- Review with parent two newborn Screening brochures provided by the State of New Mexico Newborn Screening Program.
- Have parents sign Newborn Screening Test Refusal form stating their intention to decline screening.
- Send Newborn Screening Test Refusal form to the Newborn Screening Program, 2040 S. Pacheco, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
Brochure
This helpful brochure explains how genetic tests could save your baby’s life. It covers why babies need newborn screening tests, how the testing is performed, how you will get the results, why some babies need more testing, where you can ask questions, and more.
- English: Newborn Screening Brochure
- Spanish: Folleto Análisis de Recién Nacidos
What Happens to Leftover Blood Spots?
After Newborn Screening is completed, the small amount of dried blood that remains on the filter paper card is saved in case it needs to be retested or used to adjust the instruments to assure proper performance for testing. No blood spots collected in New Mexico will be used for research. All blood spots are destroyed at 18 months.
Blood Spot Kits
Please call 505-476-8856 or 1-877-890-4692 to order blood spot kits and allow at least 3-5 shipping days for delivery of forms.
NOTE: The State of New Mexico mandates two tests. See House Bill 479 (2005) Newborn Child Medical Test Requirements and House Bill 9 (2014) Require Newborn Infant Heart Disease Testing for details. Babies can be screened up to 6 months of age. The specimen of a baby older than 6 months will only be accepted by written request from the Oregon State Public Health Lab.
Single Kits: $40.00
- Newborn Screening single kits are designed to be used only when the family has lost the original second half of the double kit or when the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory requests another sample.
- These kits can be obtained at a local public health office by the parent at no cost. For more information contact Carla Ortiz at 505-476-8858
- Cost of a single kit for laboratory and physician offices is $40.00.
Double Kits: $240.00
- Double kits are 2-part filter paper bloodspot forms.
- To order kits call 505-476-8856 or 1-877-890-4692
- The forms are bar coded in order to link the first form with the second form.
- Second bloodspot form is not to be used as a first bloodspot for another client.
- Parents need to be instructed on the importance of bringing the second bloodspot form with them to their first newborns appointment or lab visit.
Triple Kits: $240.00
- Used in the newborn intensive care units.
- These forms can be purchased by Newborn Intensive Care Units only.
- To order kits call 505-476-8856 or 1-877-890-4692
- Cost $240.00 - No additional fee for triple kits.
Newborn Hearing Screening
All birthing hospitals in New Mexico are required to screen newborns for hearing loss prior to discharge from the hospital. The Department of Health's Children's Medical Services assists families in accessing needed services when infants require follow-up after screening.
If you need help finding services for your baby or are concerned about your child's hearing please visit the Newborn Hearing Screening Program section of our website.
Learn More
Resources
Videos
- Heart Smart: CCHD Screening Video for Parents
- Heart Smart: CCHD Screening Video for Health Care Providers