New Jersey Department of Health

PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
September 23, 2026

Raynard E. Washington
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160
New Jersey Department of Health Celebrates Newborn Screening Awareness Month, Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month and Continues to Lead Robust Newborn Screening Efforts Statewide

Three tests performed in the first days of life can detect hidden, sometimes life-threatening conditions before symptoms appear, giving newborns the best chance at a healthy start to life.

TRENTON, NJ – In recognition of September as National Newborn Screening Awareness Month and Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month, New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is celebrating more than 60 years of universal newborn screening, raising awareness about the critical importance of early identification and treatment, and amplifying statewide efforts that improve infant health.

In New Jersey, newborns are screened — typically within the first 24 to 48 hours — for 61 genetic, metabolic, hormonal, and functional disorders that can cause serious health problems such as developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, long-term health complications, or even death. Samples for these screenings are tested at the State’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories.

“Newborn screening is a powerful tool that helps protect thousands of infants born in New Jersey each year,” says Dr. Raynard Washingon, New Jersey’s Health Commissioner. “Early detection gives healthcare providers the chance to start life-changing treatments before symptoms begin to surface and connect families to supportive services. Actions taken early on can give families the best possible health outcomes.”

Each year, out of nearly 98,000 infants born in the state, 1 in 350 newborns is diagnosed with a condition on the newborn screening panel, and several more are identified as carriers, which is informative for future family planning.

New Jersey was one of the first states to implement newborn bloodspot screening, and first in the nation to mandate screening for critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) by pulse oximetry (pulse ox). Over the years, the Newborn Screening Program (NBS) has expanded the bloodspot panel significantly, from screening for 52 disorders in 2012 to currently screening for 61 disorders.

Newborn Screening Process

Early detection through newborn screening allows treatment to begin before symptoms develop, helping to prevent or reduce serious health problems. New treatments, including gene therapy for some conditions, have also improved outcomes for children diagnosed through newborn screening.

The standard newborn screening process begins as soon as a baby is born at a birthing facility in New Jersey, and screenings generally include three core components:

  • Hearing Screening: A quick, painless hearing test (often completed while the newborn sleeps) to detect hearing loss during the critical window for language and brain development. Infants are screened before leaving the birthing facility or by one month of age. If follow-up is necessary, newborns should receive a diagnostic evaluation by three months and early intervention services by six months if diagnosed with hearing loss.
  • Pulse Oximetry Screening: Before leaving a birthing facility, a simple pulse ox test is performed on the newborn, which measures the baby’s oxygen levels through a small, painless device that clips onto the newborn’s hand or foot to help identify CCHDs. 
  • Dried Bloodspot Screening (Heel Stick): A few drops of blood are collected from the baby’s heel within 24 to 48 hours of birth and tested for 61 disorders, including congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease, and cystic fibrosis, which are among the conditions most often identified through newborn screening. 

Results of the hearing and pulse ox screenings are available after they have been completed.

After the bloodspot is collected, the test samples are submitted to the Newborn Screening Laboratory at NJDOH’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL). Normal reports are sent back to the birthing facility, and abnormal results are communicated to the healthcare provider and birthing facility by the Newborn Screening Follow-Up team. Each year, the Follow-Up team connects more than 1,100 babies with critically abnormal newborn screening results to their healthcare providers and specialists within three hours. This quick response is especially important for time-critical conditions that can become life-threatening without prompt care.

Annually, the Follow-Up team connects more than 200 newborns with specialists and County Case Management Services, which can assist families with navigating the healthcare system and finding financial, medical, and community-based supports. Parents can always access newborn test results through the baby’s primary healthcare provider. 

Sickle cell disease is one of the genetic disorders identified through newborn screenings. During National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, also observed in September, NJDOH is highlighting its Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Pilot Program to enhance care for people living with the lifelong genetic blood disorder that prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen properly and causes severe pain and organ damage. Established through P.L. 2023, c. 242, the three-year pilot (2024-2027) received more than $10 million in funding to support Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in select municipalities across New Jersey. The program supports expanded access to multidisciplinary care, patient education, and community outreach, including support for seven FQHCs to strengthen SCD services. To date, more than 1,500 adults have been screened and educated about Sickle Cell Trait, and 200 community outreach events have reached an estimated 26,000 people.

Public Health and Environmental Laboratories

Newborn bloodspot screening relies on the State’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories. During Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month, the Department recognizes the critical role of its laboratory staff and the many tests and services they provide to protect public health. 

“Laboratories are the backbone of public health efforts that keep New Jerseyans safe and healthy,” adds Dr. Washington. “Every day, scientists, technicians, and staff work behind the scenes to test, monitor, and investigating threats – from foodborne illness and disease outbreaks to mosquitos and water quality. Their expertise helps prevent disease, detect health emerging health threats, and guides informed response. Their work saves lives every day.”

The laboratories support a wide range of public health efforts across New Jersey and provide testing and laboratory services for the New Jersey Department of Health, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Agriculture. The laboratories process more than 150,000 samples per year and perform testing for mosquito-borne diseases, medicinal marijuana, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), biothreat and chemical threat agents, waterborne and foodborne diseases, and more. 

  • In 2025, the Dairy Program tested over 1,000 samples to ensure that the products were free from pathogens and harmful contaminants that can cause foodborne illnesses.
  • The Environmental and Chemical Laboratory Services’ Inorganics Program tests drinking water at daycares for lead and copper. 
  • The New Jersey Biomonitoring Program has tested more than 30,000 samples for lead and mercury in prenatal and perinatal populations since 2019, helping nearly 2,000 pregnant people and infants get the healthcare that they need.
  • The Radiologic Laboratory measures radioactivity in water, foods, and other environmental samples to safeguard public health and prepare responses to radiochemical threats.

The laboratories’ work supports public health programs throughout the State and helps protect the health of New Jersey residents year-round.

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