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Newborn Screening

Every baby born in Oklahoma is required to have a blood test in the first week of life. The test requires a small amount of blood to be collected from a baby’s heel.

The blood test helps to find babies with certain hidden disorders. Babies with these disorders often appear healthy at birth. This makes it difficult for doctors to know if a baby has one of the hidden disorders without a blood test.

Failure to treat a baby who has one of these disorders within the first month of life can lead to cognitive or intellectual disabilities, severe illness or death.

Services:

  • Short-term, follow-up case management services are provided through the Newborn Screening Program offering support and guidance to healthcare providers and families regarding follow-up recommendations for all children who have an out of range newborn screen result.
  • Short-term, follow-up case management continues until either the child is diagnosed with a condition or determined to not be affected by the condition.
  • If a child is diagnosed they are transitioned to long-term, follow-up care and continue being monitored and evaluated through the specialty clinic.

Eligibility Guidelines:

  • Every baby born in Oklahoma is required to have a blood test in the first week of life. The birthing hospital or midwife collects the newborn screening specimen and submits the specimen to the Public Health Laboratory for testing.

Newborn Screening Forms


Contact Information:

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Newborn Screening Program
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Phone: (405) 426-8220 
Fax: (405) 900-7556
Toll free: (800) 766-2223 
Email: newbornscreen@health.ok.gov