Universal screening for Sickle Cell was added in 1995. Since 1966, over 1.75 million infants have been screened for these disorders and more than 500 infants have been diagnosed after initial detection by screening. KRS Chapter 214 Section 155 - Infants to be tested for inborn errors of metabolism. Why Test For Disorders Kentucky requires that all newborns be tested. The screening is done by taking a few drops of blood from a newborn's heel.
All infants are to be screened before leaving the hospital and when repeat testing are requested.
The infant's physician will tell the parents or guardian of the infant the results of the test and if anything else needs to be done. An infant may be referred to either the University of Kentucky or the University of Louisville Medical Center for further diagnostic tests. Staff at one of these two clinics will contact the infant's physician to make arrangements for tests. The repeat can be done by any hospital, physician, midwife, or local health department. Please note that even though there is no charge for performing the screening on a repeat specimen, there maybe a charge to draw the blood.