Louisiana Newborn Screening Program

Newborn Heel Stick Screening

Through the heel stick screening, the Louisiana Newborn Screening Program works to diagnose and treat genetic and metabolic disorders as early as possible. These disorders can only be found through a blood test, and delays might not appear until later in life, so babies born with these disorders may develop in the same way as other babies their age early on. If a disorder is found and treated early, it is often possible to prevent physical or intellectual delays or early death.

Before every newborn leaves the hospital, a blood sample is taken by pricking the baby’s heel. The sample is sent to a laboratory for a testing panel that includes many different disorders recommended for testing by the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. Within two weeks after the test, the baby's healthcare provider will receive a report with the results, which they will review with the family at the baby's first visit.

Babies with abnormal results will need more testing to be done to find out if they have a genetic or metabolic disorder. If other tests confirm a diagnosis, the baby may need specialized care, and the healthcare provider will refer the baby and their family to a specialist, as needed.

Finding and treating these disorders early helps address developmental challenges and allows children to get the help they need early in life. The newborn screening panel is required by Louisiana law. 

The Louisiana Newborn Screening Program manages the screening process by:

• Overseeing the administration of blood tests (heel stick screening) for all children born in Louisiana. After a baby screens positive for a genetic or metabolic disorder, the program refers the family to a genetic testing lab for a specific diagnosis, and connects them to necessary services and providers.  

• Referring for cytogenetic and biochemical genetics lab testing to provide a diagnosis for disorders listed on the screening.

• Connecting individuals and families to specialized medical care when necessary.

Conditions on the Newborn Screening Panel

The United States Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (ACHDNC) was the national body charged with maintaining the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP). Although the committee disbanded in 2025, Louisiana considers which conditions to add to the state panel based on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel previously developed by the Advisory Committee.

The Louisiana Genetic Disease Program Advisory Committee advises the Louisiana Department of Health on matters related to the state's newborn screening programs and reviews proposed conditions for the newborn screening panel.

Each year, the Louisiana Department of Health is required to publish the Annual Louisiana Newborn Screening Program Legislative Report, which includes information about the Louisiana Newborn Screening Program, how conditions are added to the panel, and the status of nationally recommended conditions.

For information about conditions currently screened and those being considered in Louisiana for screening in the future, see the tracking Louisiana Newborn Screening Conditions webpage.

Ordering Red and Blue Newborn Screening Cards for Heel Stick Tests

Providers and facilities can use one method to order Lab-10 Forms (also known as Newborn Screening Filter Paper Forms).

In Louisiana, Blue Border Lab-10 Forms are utilized for babies who have public insurance, and Red Border Lab-10 Forms are utilized for babies who have private or non-public insurance.

Fax Method:

Complete this form and fax it to the Louisiana Newborn Screening Program at 504-568-8254 to order newborn screening cards. Instructions for filling out the cards can be found here.

Cost of Ordering Newborn Screening Cards

There is no cost to order blue cards, and ordering red cards costs $30 per card.

 

Have a question about the Newborn Heel Stick Screening? Please submit questions about the Newborn Heel Stick Screening process or any other general questions about newborn screening through this form or email [email protected].

 

Newborn Hearing Screening

The Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (LA EHDI) Program supports coordinated systems of care that ensure families of babies who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) receive appropriate and timely services. These services include hearing screening, diagnosis, early intervention, and family-to-family support. The goal of the Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program is to ensure babies are screened, rescreened (as needed), and referred for testing to diagnose babies who are deaf or hard of hearing as soon as possible and optimize language, literacy, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Louisiana law mandates that all newborns be screened prior to hospital discharge. The Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program also follows the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing's Position Statement and national benchmarks, known as the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention 1-3-6 goals. The 1-3-6 goals establish that:

• By one month of age, all babies will receive a hearing screening.

• By three months of age, all babies who needed additional testing after newborn hearing screening will have received a diagnosis.

• By 6 months of age, all babies identified as deaf or hard of hearing will have enrolled in early intervention to support language, communication, literacy, cognition, and social-emotional development.

 

Newborn Congenital Heart Defect Screening

The Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children recommends that newborns in the well-baby and intermediate nurseries be screened for congenital heart defects through pulse oximetry prior to discharge from the hospital. According to Louisiana R.S. 40:1083.3, each birthing facility in the state of Louisiana shall perform pulse oximetry screening for the identification of critical congenital heart defects on every newborn in its care prior to discharge from the birthing facility, unless prohibited by the parent or guardian of the newborn.

Resources for screening may be found through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/heart-defects/hcp/screening.

Making a Difference

The Bureau of Family Health works with committees and councils of community members and experts dedicated to ensuring that all babies have access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

• The Louisiana Genetic Disease Program Advisory Committee advises the Louisiana Department of Health on matters related to the state's newborn screening programs and reviews proposed conditions for the newborn screening panel.

• The Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council offers expert and clinical advice to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Governor, and the legislature to help address the needs of persons diagnosed and living with rare diseases.

• The State of Louisiana Advisory Council for the Early Identification of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants advises the Louisiana Department of Health regarding programmatic standards and integration of early identification of deaf or hard of hearing infants with existing medical, audiological, and early infant education programs.