About the Lab

The Texas Newborn Screening (NBS) Laboratory tests nearly 800,000 specimens each year. DSHS Laboratory tests these specimens for more than 50 disorders or medical conditions. Texas law (Health and Safety Code, Chapter 33) requires these laboratory tests to help find infants who may have one or more of the disorders or medical conditions.

Finding and treating these disorders early can prevent serious complications, such as growth problems, developmental delays, deafness, blindness, intellectual disabilities, seizures, and sudden or early death.

The Texas Newborn Screening Program requires health care providers to collect blood spots on two separate occasions for each child. Providers must collect the first screen within 24 to 48 hours of age, or before they discharge the newborn from the hospital. They must collect the second screen between 7 and 14 days, a minimum of 168 hours, of age.

If the result for one of the laboratory tests is outside of the expected range, the NBS Program's Clinical Care Coordination Group will immediately begin follow-up with a health care provider. Two point-of-service screenings are also conducted at the birthing facility.

Resources

• Newborn Screening: More Than Drops On a Card 
• Newborn Screening Laboratory Brochure
• Use and Storage of Newborn Screening Blood Spot Cards
• Newborn Screening Annual Report