States Alaska

Conditions Screened

Alaska currently screens for 49 conditions

The Alaska Program

Each state runs its program differently, for more detailed information please visit their website here.

Download Brochure

Here is a brochure for the state of Alaska. Brochure >>

What Conditions are Screened For in Alaska?

Hemoglobin Disorders

Contacts

NBS Follow-up Program

Lorrie Folmar, RN, BSN
Program Manager
Newborn Bloodspot Screening
3601 C Street, Suite 322
Anchorage, AK 99503-5923
Phone: 907-334-2295
[email protected]
Fax: 907-754-3455
https://health.alaska.gov/dph/wcfh/Pages/bloodspot/default.aspx

NBS Laboratory

Contracted to:  
University of Iowa
State Hygienic Laboratory
Phone: (319) 335-4500
Fax: (319) 335-4555

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Annette Callies
Program Manager
State of Alaska - Division of Public Health
Women's Children and Family Health
3601 C Street, Suite 322
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907-334-2273
Fax: 907-269-3432


Search Educational Resources

Looking for resources? Check out our Newborn Screening Education and Training Resource Center.

VIEW RESOURCES

About Newborn Screening in Alaska

Program Overview:

Alaska law requires that all babies born in Alaska receive screening tests for phenylketonuria (PKU) and other metabolic conditions that can result in intellectual disability and other serious health problems. The specimen is collected during the first 24-48 hours of life.  Some infants may have specimens collected before 24 hours of life, including infants receiving blood products, those being transferred out of state, or those being discharged early. Facilities and providers should follow their protocols for these situations.

Diagnostic confirmatory testing may be requested on a newborn with an abnormal screening test result. A newborn with an abnormal result shall be referred to a health care provider for diagnostic confirmatory testing.

The newborn screening team consists of local health care providers, including Alaska hospitals, physicians, and midwives who collect blood samples after birth and the program manager and genetics clinic manager employed by Women, Children and Family Health (WCFH). Alaska’s newborn bloodspot screening testing is completed by the Iowa State Hygienic Lab.  Metabolic specialists from the Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon provide clinic services. Metabolic clinics in Anchorage and Fairbanks provide ongoing evaluation and treatment in management three times a year.

The Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Committee, composed of local health care providers, hospital laboratory personnel, parents of children with NBS-detected disorders, midwives, and specialists, provides recommendations for program planning and evaluation.

How is Newborn Screening Paid for in Alaska?

Alaska charges $159.50 for newborn bloodspot screening. This covers all required screens per infant. In some cases, the program is able to help cover the costs of confirmatory metabolic testing.

Policies and Resources

Opt-Out:

Parents have the right to refuse the screening tests for their newborn infant. If you opt-out, your health care provider will have you sign a declination form.  A family that opts-out at birth may still choose to have their infant screened later, up to six months of age.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

Alaska’s Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Committee developed a policy on retention and use of the residual dried blood spots. Residual dried blood spots are to be retained for three years.  They are stored for one month at the Iowa State Hygienic Lab, and then sent to Alaska where they are destroyed after they are three years old.

The policy does not allow use of residual dried bloodspots for research. They will be made available to a newborn’s family for further testing recommended by their health care provider.  Dried blood spots may not be released for paternity or other non-medical testing.  Families must give explicit consent for release of the residual dried blood spot. A general release of records is not sufficient.  

To see a copy of the blood spot card used in Alaska click here.

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