States South Carolina
What Conditions are Screened For in South Carolina?
Amino Acid Disorders
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Argininemia (ARG)State preferred name: Arginase deficiency
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Benign Hyperphenylalaninemia (H-PHE)
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Biopterin Defect in Cofactor Biosynthesis (BIOPT-BS)
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Biopterin Defect in Cofactor Regeneration (BIOPT-REG)
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Citrullinemia, Type I (CIT)
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Citrullinemia, Type II (CIT II)
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Classic Phenylketonuria (PKU)
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Homocystinuria (HCY)
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Hypermethioninemia (MET)
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Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
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Tyrosinemia, Type I (TYR I)
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Tyrosinemia, Type II (TYR II)
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Tyrosinemia, Type III (TYR III)
Endocrine Disorders
Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders
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2,4 Dienoyl-CoA Reductase Deficiency (DE RED)
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Carnitine Uptake Defect (CUD)
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Glutaric Acidemia, Type II (GA-2)
Hemoglobin Disorders
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Hemoglobinopathies (Var Hb)
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S, Beta-Thalassemia (Hb S/ßTh)
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S, C Disease (Hb S/C)
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Sickle Cell Anemia (Hb SS)
Lysosomal Storage Disorders
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Mucopolysaccharidosis Type-I (MPS I)
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Pompe (POMPE)
Organic Acid Conditions
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2-Methyl-3-Hydroxybutyric Acidemia (2M3HBA)
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2-Methylbutyrylglycinuria (2MBG)
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3-Methylglutaconic Aciduria (3MGA)
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Glutaric Acidemia, Type I (GA-1)
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Isovaleric Acidemia (IVA)
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Malonic Acidemia (MAL)
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Methylmalonic Acidemia with Homocystinuria (Cbl C, D, F)
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Propionic Acidemia (PROP)
Other Disorders
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Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)State preferred name: X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
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Biotinidase Deficiency (BIOT)
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Classic Galactosemia (GALT)
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Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
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Galactoepimerase Deficiency (GALE)
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Galactokinase Deficiency (GALK)
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Hearing loss (HEAR)
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Search Educational Resources
Looking for resources? Check out our Newborn Screening Education and Training Resource Center.
About Newborn Screening in South Carolina
Program Overview:
Newborn bloodspot screening is a panel of laboratory tests that checks for health conditions in newborn babies, preferably before physical symptoms of illness appear. All babies are tested soon after birth for several genetic and metabolic disorders. Tests are done on a small sample of blood taken from the baby’s heel and placed on a spot on a specimen card. The dried blood spot is sent to the South Carolina Public Health Laboratory, Newborn Screening Section for testing.
If the results of the screening indicate the need for additional testing, the DHEC Newborn Screening (NBS) Program will contact the primary healthcare provider(s) and a medical specialist, if indicated. Identifying a potential condition in a baby as soon as possible can lead to early treatment, which gives the baby the best chance for a healthy life.
South Carolina law requires newborn screening, except for religious reasons submitted in writing. Your doctor will tell you about the results at your baby’s first check-up. For this reason, it is very important that you choose a doctor for your baby before he or she is born. Next, give the birthing facility the name of the doctor who will be taking care of your baby, so they can make sure your baby’s doctor is listed on the newborn screening form. All test results will be mailed to that doctor. Results are also mailed to the place where your baby was born.
The results are available within 14 days after the blood sample is received at the laboratory. If your baby’s doctor contacts you and says your baby’s screen was “abnormal” or needs to be repeated, do not panic. Abnormal results alert doctors of the need for additional testing to determine if your baby has a condition. Thus, following up with your doctor is very important and should be done as soon as possible.
How is Newborn Screening Paid for in South Carolina?
The NBS fee is $127.00 per child. This is billed to the medical provider (hospital, clinic, midwife, or physician). It is up to the medical provider to obtain payment.
Alternatively, families may make an appointment at select public health departments to have their infant’s newborn screening blood sample collected free of charge. Please contact DPH Newborn Screening directly at 803-898-3192 for more information.
Policies and Resources
Opt-Out:
By law, all newborns must participate in newborn screening, unless parents object on religious grounds in writing. If parents decline to participate, they must complete the departmental religious objection form. This form should be placed in the infant’s medical file with a copy given to the parents and a copy sent to the Newborn Screening Program.
Support for families:
One concern families may have when they find out their baby has a condition identified by newborn screening is how to locate resources for the best care possible. While it may be overwhelming to know where to start, DPH can help. In coordination with the Newborn Screening and Metabolic Formula Programs, the Division of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) operates many programs (such as the Sickle Cell Program and Hearing Aid Program) to assist qualified families of children with select chronic illnesses and disabilities. These programs can provide financial support for medical services and linkage to specialized medical care.
Services are available through offices in each public health administrative region. For more information, contact your county health department by calling the CARELINE (855-472-3432). Or contact the Division of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs directly at 803-898-0784 (voice), 803-898-0613 (fax), or [email protected].
Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:
After your child’s blood has been tested for all of South Carolina’s newborn screening conditions, there will remain a little bit of blood on the specimen card. This is called a “residual dried blood spot.” It is stored by the state until no longer needed for testing purposes. After testing is completed, the specimen is destroyed in a scientifically acceptable manner. Residual dried blood spots are typically destroyed 12 months after the date of collection.
On occasion, residual dried blood spots may be shared with newborn screening programs in other state public health laboratories for quality improvement purposes. The baby’s personal information will not be shared; only test results will be shared along with the residual dried blood spots.
By regulation, the department is required to store all medical records, including newborn screening tests, in an environment that prevents unauthorized access and deterioration. Newborn screening records must be treated as confidential and retained until the screened individual reaches the age of 18 years.
Violation of the state newborn screening statutes is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $50,000 and 3 years of imprisonment.
To see a copy of the blood spot card used in South Carolina click here.
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