Title: Pennsylvania | Baby's First Test | Newborn Screening | Baby Health
Headings: 
States Pennsylvania
Conditions Screened
The Pennsylvania Program
Download Brochure
What Conditions are Screened For in Pennsylvania?
Amino Acid Disorders
Endocrine Disorders
Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders
Hemoglobin Disorders
Lysosomal Storage Disorders
Organic Acid Conditions
Other Disorders
About Newborn Screening in Pennsylvania
Program Overview:
How is Newborn Screening Paid for in ­ Pennsylvania?
Policies and Resources
Support for families:
Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

Content: There are three parts to newborn screening: heel sticks to collect a small blood sample
When blood is drawn from the human body in order to be tested for medical purposes
, a pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry, or pulse ox, is a painless, non-invasive test that measures how much oxygen is in the blood. Infants with heart problems may have low blood oxygen levels, and therefore, the pulse ox test can help identify babies that may have Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD). The test is done using a machine called a pulse oximeter, which is a sensor placed on the baby’s skin. The pulse ox test only takes a couple of minutes and is performed after the baby is 24 hours old and before he or she leaves the newborn nursery. to measure the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood, and a hearing screening. These tests should be performed when babies are 24 to 48 hours old. If the baby was born in a hospital, the newborn screening tests will be completed prior to being discharged. If the baby was born at home or in a birth facility, the midwife
A person who is trained to assist women with childbirth
or doctor attending the birth will provide information as to what steps need to be taken to have the newborn screening tests completed for the baby. Newborn screening does not confirm a baby has a condition.