Babies born at home must be tested within a week of birth. As a parent, you may refuse newborn screening only if your religious beliefs and practices do not allow this testing. If you refuse to have the tests done, you may be asked to sign a paper stating that you refused to have your baby tested for these very serious diseases. The cost of the newborn screening test is usually covered by health insurance. Before your baby leaves the hospital, blood is collected through a heel prick.
Some babies cry when their heel is pricked, but the discomfort lasts only a short time.
A few drops of blood are collected for screening. The newborn screen is most accurate if your baby's blood is taken after the first 24 hours of their life. If your baby's newborn screening heelstick was done before 24 hours of age, a second sample needs to be taken when your baby is 1 to 2 weeks old. However, if your baby was born prematurely or needed special care after birth, the timing of repeat testing may be different. Fatty acid oxidation disorders Organic acidemias For a description of these disorders, click here .