States Minnesota

Conditions Screened

Minnesota currently screens for 65 conditions

The Minnesota Program

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

Download Brochure

Newborn Screening Prenatal Handout: Handout
Newborn Screening Materials: Newborn Fact Sheet
Newborn Screening Materials: Infographic
Longitudinal Follow-up Fact Sheet: Fact sheet

What Conditions are Screened For in Minnesota?

Hemoglobin Disorders

Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Contacts

Minnesota Newborn Screening Program

601 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55164-0899
Phone: 800-664-7772 or 651-201-5466
Fax: 651-215-6285
[email protected]

Follow-Up Program

Sondra Rosendahl
Follow-Up Supervisor

[email protected]
Genetic Counselor Hotline: 651-201-3548

Longitudinal (Long-term) Follow-up

Jennifer Hauser
Supervisor

[email protected]
Phone: 651-201-3757 or 1-800-728-5420

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Kirsten Coverstone, Audiologist
Early Hearing Detection Coordinator
Newborn Screening Program
Minnesota Department of Health
PO Box 64800
St. Paul, MN 55164-0899
Phone: 651-201-5223
Fax: 651-201-5471

Darcia Dierking, Audiologist
EHDI Co-Coordinator
MN Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
Minnesota Department of Health
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Phone: 651-201-3750
Fax: 651-201-3655

Search Educational Resources

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

VIEW RESOURCES

About Newborn Screening in Minnesota

Program Overview:

Since 1964, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has screened Minnesota newborns soon after birth to see if they are at risk for rare, hidden disorders. If left untreated, these disorders can lead to illness, physical disability, developmental delay, or death. By identifying these disorders early, however, interventions, medications, or changes in diet can help prevent most health problems caused by the disorders on the newborn screening panel.

The Newborn Screening Program, together with hospitals, laboratories, and medical professionals across the state, screens newborns for more than 60 disorders that affect metabolism, hormones, the immune system, blood, breathing, digestion, hearing, or the heart. Newborn screening in Minnesota consists of three tests: blood spot screening, hearing screening, and pulse oximetry screening.

Our Goals:

  • To screen all Minnesota infants.
  • To identify infants with rare, hidden disorders or with hearing loss at an early age when treatment and intervention can prevent health problems, help facilitate development, and save lives.
  • To ensure that all infants with abnormal newborn screens have access to prompt diagnostic assessments and receive early intervention services.
  • To improve systems for follow-up, reporting, and connection to services for infants identified by newborn screening.

Blood Spot Screening

When a newborn is between 24 and 48 hours old, a health professional will take a few drops of blood from the newborn’s heel. Many people refer to this process as “the heel stick." The drops of blood fill six spots on a filter paper card. After the drops of blood have dried, they are sent to our program at the Minnesota Department of Health to be screened for more than 60 inherited and congenital disorders. Results of blood spot screening are sent to the birth facility or called to the newborn’s primary health care provider if further testing is necessary.

Hearing Screening

While a newborn sleeps, a health professional will perform a simple test to check for hearing loss in the range where speech is heard. A small screening device will play soft sounds and measure the newborn’s response. Screening is best performed as soon as possible after 12 hours post-partum and should be complete before the newborn is one month old.

Pulse Oximetry Screening

When a newborn is at least a day old, a health professional will perform a quick and simple test called pulse oximetry. For this screen, sensors are placed on the newborn’s hand or foot to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. This test helps identify newborns who may have critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).

How is Newborn Screening Paid for in ­­Minnesota?

As of July 1, 2022, the fee in Minnesota is $235 for the initial screen and $235 for the repeat if necessary.

Policies and Resources

Opt-Out:

In Minnesota, newborn screening is mandated by law. All families will receive education about newborn screening and testing will occur unless a parent objects in writing. A parent may object for any reason. Parental options include delaying screening, refusing screening, and having screening completed and then requesting results or specimens be destroyed.

Support for families:

One of the concerns families face when they learn their child has a condition detected by newborn screening is the increased health care cost. Fortunately, Minnesota has various laws and programs which attempt to lessen the financial burden on families.

For those on state medical programs or assistance, the programs will provide coverage for the nutritional products necessary for those with certain metabolic conditions, including PKU, MSUD, or any other childhood or adult disease which requires a necessary medical product for nutritional purposes. The Minnesota Department of Human Services administers Minnesota’s Medical Assistance (MA), but county human services departments do eligibility screening and case management. Children (up to age 21), parents, pregnant women, people leaving the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and people who are elderly, blind or disabled can all get Medical Assistance. Effective March 1, 2011 adults without children living in their household can get MA. To get MA you must meet eligibility criteria and income requirements. You have to live in Minnesota. You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant (with an acceptable immigration status). Most people also must have income and assets below set amounts to get MA. Explore information on Medical Assistance and other state health care programs that provide coverage for many health care related costs.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

All blood spot specimens may be stored indefinitely as allowed by Minnesota Statute 144.125 unless parents/guardians have directed Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to destroy them. Current practice is to store dried blood spot specimens for five to six years.

All blood spot screening results may be stored indefinitely unless parents/guardians have directed MDH to destroy them. MDH does not have blood spot screening results prior to August 1, 2014.

All hearing screening results are stored for 18 years from the infant’s date of birth as allowed by Minnesota Statute 144.966 unless parents/guardians have directed MDH to destroy them.

All CCHD screening results may be stored indefinitely unless parents/guardians have directed MDH to destroy them.

Click here to see a copy of the blood spot card used in Minnesota.

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