UCD Expanded Newborn Screening Instructions for Health Care Professionals

1. If a parent or doctor asks for Expanded Newborn Screening, the sample can be drawn at the same time as the first state screening.
2. The optimal time to draw the sample is between 24 and 48 hours of life. The test is most sensitive during the first week of life. The test is not recommended for infants older than two months.
3. The Expanded Newborn Screening has its own card. IT DOES NOT REPLACE THE STATE SCREEN.
4. The sample is collected in the same manner as the state screen. There are instructions on the back of the card explaining the procedure.
5. Please make sure to include on the card the patient’s name, date of birth, draw date of the sample, and the name and phone number of the patient’s pediatrician.
6. After the sample is drawn, it will need 2-4 hours to dry.
7. After the sample has dried, it can be given back to the parents. The parents will need to enclose $25 cash or check (payable to “UCD Biochemical Genetics”).
8. The parents should mail the sample via U.S. Postal Service as soon as possible in the envelope provided by the lab. The envelope includes the address of the lab. One first class postage stamp is required. The card's flap, when folded to cover the dried blood spots, serves as biohazard protection and meets current USPS standards.
9. Results are usually processed within 1-3 business days after the lab receives the sample. Results will be faxed to the patient’s pediatrician.

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