Newborn Screening & Genetic Services

Newborn screening is an essential public health function designed to screen, identify and link babies to comprehensive, community based, culturally competent, family centered services.

The mission of the Newborn  Bloodspot  Screening Follow-up Program is to promote and protect the health of all newborns identified as having out-of-range results by the Newborn Screening Laboratory.

We communicate with parents, physicians, specialists and others to ensure that identified babies have access to timely and quality diagnostic testing and comprehensive care.  

In 1964 newborn screening for Phenylketonuria (PKU) was mandated.  Legislation and advances in technology have contributed to great growth in the newborn screening panel.  Today, NJ screens for 59 disorders with continued growth expected.

New Jersey law requires that every baby born in New Jersey be screened for disorders that can cause serious health problems. Therefore, the Commissioner of Health has established a Newborn Screning Advisory Review Committee (NSARC) to annually review the disorders included in the Newborn Screening program.

Purpose of the Committee

To assist the DOH in reviewing newborn screening policies and procedures and advise the Commissioner of Health on matters affecting newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) processes in New Jersey. 

The Committee meets twice a year in the month of May and November via a virtual platform (until further notice).

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