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Newborn Screening for Providers

A female health care provider cradles a baby while showing newborn screening results to the baby’s mother.

Newborn screening is a public health program that checks babies for certain serious health conditions, finds those few babies who have a condition, and helps connect families with early care and treatment.

The health conditions found through newborn screening are treatable and need timely action. Primary care providers play an important role in newborn screening, as they are the ones who receive the results and share those results with families. They also help to manage a baby’s care if families receive an out-of-range screening result or diagnosis.

Upon receipt of an out-of-range result, providers should:

Communicating out-of-range newborn screening results to parents and families

The first conversation you have with parents and families about an out-of-range newborn screening result is critical. Parents of newborns are often dealing with physical and emotional changes as they adjust to their new family. Receiving an out-of-range newborn screening result is often unexpected and can lead to uncertainty.

Developed with the input of providers and parents, this guide provides a framework and conversation starters to help you:

  • Share clear, accurate, and timely information with parents and families.
  • Assess family members’ understanding of this information.
  • Help parents and families begin to navigate a wide range of emotions.
  • Empower parents and families to take steps that can lead to positive health outcomes for their child.

Download the guide (PDF - 1 MB)

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