States Ohio

Conditions Screened

Ohio currently screens for 48 conditions

The Ohio 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 Ohio. Brochure »

What Conditions are Screened For in Ohio?

Hemoglobin Disorders

Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Contacts

NBS Laboratory

Rosemary Hage, PhD
Newborn Screening Laboratory Supervisor
8995 East Main Street, Bldg 22 
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-3342 
Phone: (614) 644-4605
Fax: (614) 644-4648 
[email protected]

Sharon Linard 
Ohio Department of Health Laboratories
8995 East Main Street, Bldg 22
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-3342
Phone: (614) 644-4659
Fax: (614) 644-4648
[email protected]

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Allyson Vanhorn
Infant Hearing Program Administrator
Maternal, Child and Family Health
Ohio Department of Health
246 N High Street 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43216-0118
Phone: 614-728-6785
Fax: 614-728-9163

Critical Congenital Heart Defect (CCDH) Screening

Naomi Halverson
Infant Hearing Program Administrator
Maternal, Child and Family Health
Ohio Department of Health
246 N High Street 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43216-0118
Phone: 614-387-1228
Fax: 614-564-2429

Search Educational Resources

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

VIEW RESOURCES

About Newborn Screening in Ohio

Program Overview:

All parents hope that their babies will be healthy. Some babies who look perfectly healthy at birth may have problems that will affect how they grow and develop. Newborn screening tests babies for many medical conditions that are not obvious at birth, but need medical treatment. By finding the medical problem soon after birth, babies quickly receive the treatment they need. Newborn screening improves the health and development of babies. 

Every year in Ohio, more than 500 newborns needing medical care are identified by newborn screening. Nearly 200 infants are identified as deaf or with hearing loss, an additional 80 infants are diagnosed with serious heart diseases, and about 300 more infants are identified with serious medical conditions that can be found by testing the baby’s blood.

Babies born in Ohio have three different newborn screening tests done shortly after birth.  A hearing screen to check to for hearing loss and a pulse oximetry screen to check for critical heart defects are usually done at the birth hospital the day after a baby is born.  These screenings are non-invasive and do not hurt the newborn.  Parents are told the results of the hearing and heart screens after the testing is completed and the baby’s primary healthcare provider is also informed.  If the baby is not born in a hospital, the midwife, doctor or local health department will help arrange the hearing and pulse oximetry screening.  If the results for either the hearing screening or pulse oximetry screening are abnormal, the baby will be referred for additional testing.  It is important that babies who need additional testing get the testing done right away. 

A blood test to screen for many metabolic, endocrine, and genetic conditions is also done on a few drops of blood taken from the baby’s heel. This blood sample is usually collected 24 to 48 hours after birth. (If the baby is not born in a hospital, the midwife, doctor or local health department will help to collect the blood sample before the baby reaches 5 days of age.) The blood sample is sent to Ohio’s newborn screening lab for testing.  The results of the blood test are sent to the baby’s health care provider and birth hospital within 10 days of the lab receiving the blood sample. Parents should ask about these results during the baby’s first health checkup. 

If your baby’s blood spot screening contains results that are not normal, the baby’s healthcare provider will arrange for further testing right away. In some cases, the baby will be referred to a specialist. It is important to identify babies that have these conditions quickly, so they can start medical treatments that will improve their health and development as soon as possible.  

The overall goal of the NBS program is to improve the quality of life of the baby through early diagnosis and treatment. Time is a very important element in this process. Cooperation and timely action by the parents and the medical care providers will help all babies get a healthy start at life.

How is Newborn Screening Paid for in ­­Ohio?

In Ohio hospitals and free standing birthing centers purchase blood spot screening kits for $74.61 per kit.  Hospitals are charged the same amount regardless of whether the kit is for an initial or repeat screen. In addition to testing, the fee covers administration, clinical follow-up services, and metabolic formula for certain conditions.

Policies and Resources

Opt-Out:

All newborns must participate in newborn screening unless parents object on religious grounds. The hospital or birthing center must provide parents with written notice of screening, which includes a description of the newborn screening program and the opportunity to receive additional optional tests. If parents decline screening, then the hospital or birthing center must send a written refusal of testing to the Ohio Department of Health. The refusal form must be completed by the objecting parents.

Support for families:

One of the concerns some families may have when they find out their child has a condition detected during the newborn screening process is the increased cost of health care. Fortunately, Ohio has many programs in place to help families afford the care their child needs.

Programs in Maternal, Child and Family Health at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) provide comprehensive care and services to people affected with, or at risk for conditions identified through newborn screening related to genetics, sickle cell, hearing loss and heart defects. To contact one of these programs, located at 246 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215, call (614) 995-5333 or email at [email protected]. Links to other Ohio programs and resources, such as those for cystic fibrosis, hearing aid assistance or the Children with Medical Handicaps Program can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website

Some children with conditions detected by newborn bloodspot screening will have very specialized nutritional needs. The ODH provides metabolic formula to individuals born with metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and homocystinuria. Without these special formulas, individuals, especially infants and young children, may develop brain damage and intellectual disability. Every year in Ohio, 12-15 babies are born with PKU and one to two babies are born with homocystinuria. It is recommended that individuals with these diseases remain on formula for their lifetime. The ODH Metabolic Formula Program orders the specialized formula, which is shipped directly to the patients' homes. Formula is provided at no cost to the patient. Funds to support the program come from a portion of the newborn screening fee.  Requirements for participation in the program include Ohio residency, application to third-party payment sources and being under the care of an approved Ohio metabolic center. To contact Ohio Department of Health’s Metabolic Formula Program located at 246 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, call (614) 466-0227 or e-mail [email protected].

Additionally, Ohio's Medicaid program provides a comprehensive package of services that includes preventive care for qualifying residents. Some services are limited by dollar amount, number of visits per year, or settings in which they can be provided. Ohio Medicaid’s services include Healthchek (EPSDT), which provides screening & treatment services to children 21 and younger. For more information, visit the Ohio Medicaid website or call 1-800-324-8680.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

After the newborn screening process has been completed, there will be some dried blood remaining, which is called “residual dried blood spots”. Ohio keeps all residual dried blood spots and demographic information for no less than two years from the date the public health laboratory receives the specimen. The laboratory will keep the results of the screening test as well as demographic and case management information electronically for no less than twenty-one years.

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

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