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Newborn Screening Home |
| Newborn Screening is a special blood test done on each Utah baby. It is specifically designed to reduce the occurrence of diseases or conditions that alter health and quality of life (morbidity) and increase the risk of death (mortality)
due to certain metabolic, endocrine, and hematological disorders
by identifying the disorder prior to the onset of symptoms.
This allows treatment to begin before clinical symptoms of morbidity
(i.e. permanent brain damage, growth retardation, sepsis, or severe anemia)
or death can occur in the newborn.
Utah collects two newborn screening specimens (formerly called the PKU test) which test for 37 disorders. The first screen is usually done between 48 hours and 5 days of life, or right before discharge from the hospital. The second screen is done between 7 and 28 days of age, usually at the two week well-child check with the baby's pediatrician. Identifying and treating infants with these disorders early can help ensure a long, healthy life, so it is important to get these tests done correctly and on time.
Be sure to include the “UT” on the kit number
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Hurricane Katrina not only wrecked havoc with Louisiana, but uncovered a problem with states testing newborn screening specimens from another state. Louisiana’s specimens were sent to Iowa for testing. Identifying which specimen came from which state easily became an issue.
From this experience came a recommendation to all states to add the state’s two-digit abbreviation to the individual state’s screening card number. The state abbreviation would allow for easier and quicker identification.
Utah has modified its two-part kit (first and second forms) and the miscellaneous forms to begin with “UT.” This is a permanent addition to the kit number and needs to be included in or on all communication.
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Address for Newborn Screening Specimens |
The Unified State Laboratories: Public Health has changed from receiving specimens through the US Postal System to the Department of Health State Mail system.
If using the State supplied PRE-PRINTED / PRE-PAID ENVELOPE:
The State supplied envelope for return of the second, miscellaneous and diet monitoring forms should have the following address:
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MA1081A
UNIFIED STATE LABORATORIES: PUBLIC HEALTH
SMDS #144300
PO BOX 31431
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84131-9988 |
If you need correctly addressed envelopes for second, miscellaneous or diet monitoring forms, please contact Chris Peper or Nancy Bishop at 801-965-2400.
If using a STANDARD BUSINESS OR CATALOG ENVELOPE:
The envelope should have the following address:
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Newborn Screening Laboratory
Unified State Laboratories: Public Health
PO Box 144300
Salt Lake City UT 84114-4300 |
For a printable copy of the Address for Newborn Screening, follow the link. |
HIPPA Privacy Act |
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