The Iowa Newborn Screening Program identifies infants at risk for more than 49 inherited diseases by testing drops of blood obtained from a simple heel stick shortly after birth. Most newborns with an inherited condition show no obvious signs of disease. However, with special tests, the Iowa Newborn Screening Program can identify an infant who may be at risk, and alert the doctor and caregivers of the need for immediate, sometimes critical, medical treatment.
A nationally recognized leader in newborn screening, the Iowa program is administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health, which partners with the State Hygienic Laboratory and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
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