Every newborn in North Carolina receives three critical screening tests before leaving the hospital — tests that can detect serious health problems that may not be visible on a routine exam. This guide tells you what the tests are, how to get your baby’s results, and who to contact if you need more information or follow-up care.
How to Contact the NC Newborn Screening Program for Information & Help
If you have questions about your baby’s newborn screening tests, results, or follow-up care, the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Help Line is your primary resource.
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone (English & Spanish) | 1-800-737-3028 |
| CYSHCN.Helpline@dhhs.nc.gov | |
| Program Website | ncdhhs.gov/dph/wch/families/newbornmetabolic.htm |
What the Help Line Can Assist With
- Understanding your baby’s screening results
- Connecting you with follow-up testing and specialists
- Information about conditions detected by newborn screening
- Guidance for families of children with special health care needs
- Referrals to additional resources and support services
The Three Newborn Screening Tests: What to Expect
During your hospital stay, your newborn will receive three screening tests to check for serious health problems that may not be known at birth. The earlier a problem is found, the better chance your baby has for a healthier start in life.
1. Blood Spot (Metabolic) Screening
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What It Checks | Over 35 possible serious health problems |
| How It’s Done | A few drops of blood taken from your baby’s heel |
| Where It’s Sent | North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health |
| Results Timeline | A few days |
| How to Get Results | Ask your baby’s doctor |
2. Heart Screening (CCHD)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What It Checks | Serious, life-threatening heart problems known as Critical Congenital Heart Defects (CCHD) |
| How It’s Done | A small sticker placed on baby’s right hand and foot to measure blood oxygen levels |
| Results Timeline | Available before baby leaves the hospital |
| How to Get Results | Ask before you are discharged |
3. Hearing Screening
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What It Checks | Hearing loss |
| How It’s Done | A special machine measures baby’s response to sound |
| When It’s Done | When baby is sleeping or very quiet |
| Results Timeline | Available before baby leaves the hospital |
| How to Get Results | Ask before you are discharged |
How to Get Your Baby’s Screening Results
| Test | When Results Are Ready | How to Get Them |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Spot (Metabolic) | A few days after the test | Ask your baby’s doctor |
| Heart Screening (CCHD) | Before hospital discharge | Ask before you leave the hospital |
| Hearing Screening | Before hospital discharge | Ask before you leave the hospital |
Important: If your doctor asks you to come back for more testing, it is critical to do so right away. Follow up quickly — early detection gives your baby the best chance for a healthy outcome.
How to Contact Resources for More Information on Newborn Screening
National Resources
| Resource | Website | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|---|
| Baby’s First Test | babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/before-birth | Comprehensive information about newborn screening before and after birth |
North Carolina-Specific Resources
| Resource | Website | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|---|
| NC Screened Conditions & Disorders | slph.ncpublichealth.com/newborn | Complete list of conditions screened for in North Carolina |
| NC Newborn Screening Services | ncdhhs.gov/dph/wch/families/newbornmetabolic.htm | State program information and services |
| NC Newborn Hearing Screening Program | ncnewbornhearing.org | Specific information about hearing screening and follow-up |
| NC Division of Public Health | ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dph | Broad public health resources for NC families |
How to Contact Your Baby’s Doctor for Follow-Up Testing
If any screening result requires follow-up, your baby’s doctor will contact you. Here’s what to expect:
When to Follow Up Immediately
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Abnormal blood spot result | Your doctor will contact you; schedule follow-up testing right away |
| Failed hearing screening | Schedule a diagnostic hearing evaluation as soon as possible |
| Failed heart screening (CCHD) | Your baby may need an echocardiogram; follow your doctor’s instructions immediately |
| Inconclusive results | Additional testing may be needed; don’t delay |
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What do my baby’s screening results mean?
- Does my baby need additional testing?
- When and where should follow-up testing be done?
- Are there specialists I should see?
- What symptoms should I watch for at home?
What North Carolina Screens For: Over 35 Conditions
North Carolina’s blood spot screening checks for more than 35 serious health conditions, including:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Metabolic Disorders | Phenylketonuria (PKU), MCAD deficiency, maple syrup urine disease |
| Endocrine Disorders | Congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia |
| Hemoglobin Disorders | Sickle cell disease, hemoglobin C disease |
| Other Conditions | Cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), galactosemia |
For a complete list of all conditions screened in North Carolina, visit slph.ncpublichealth.com/newborn.
Para Familias Hispanohablantes / For Spanish-Speaking Families
El Programa de Evaluación de Recién Nacidos de Carolina del Norte ofrece información y apoyo en español.
| Método de Contacto | Detalles |
|---|---|
| Teléfono | 1-800-737-3028 |
| Correo Electrónico | CYSHCN.Helpline@dhhs.nc.gov |
Las Tres Pruebas de Evaluación
| Prueba | Qué Detecta | Cómo Se Hace |
|---|---|---|
| Prueba del Talón (Metabólica) | Más de 35 problemas de salud graves | Gotas de sangre del talón del bebé |
| Examen Cardíaco | Cardiopatías congénitas graves (CCHD) | Adhesivo en la mano y el pie para medir oxígeno |
| Examen de Audición | Pérdida de audición | Máquina especial que detecta respuesta al sonido |
Recuerde: Si el médico le solicita que regrese para hacer más pruebas, es importante que lo haga de inmediato. Haga el seguimiento lo más rápido posible.
Understanding Your Baby’s Results: What “Abnormal” Means
A screening test is not a diagnosis. It identifies babies who may have a condition and need further testing.
| Result | What It Means | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Normal/Negative | No signs of the conditions tested | No further action needed for these conditions |
| Abnormal/Positive | Your baby may have a condition | Additional diagnostic testing is required to confirm |
| Inconclusive | Results are unclear | Repeat testing or additional tests may be needed |
Don’t panic if your baby needs follow-up testing. Many babies who are called back for additional testing turn out to be healthy. But it’s essential to follow up promptly to rule out or confirm any condition.
How to Contact the NC State Laboratory of Public Health
The State Laboratory processes all newborn blood spot screenings in North Carolina.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Website | slph.ncpublichealth.com |
| Newborn Screening Page | slph.ncpublichealth.com/newborn |
| Role | Processes blood spot samples and reports results to your baby’s doctor |
Note: The laboratory reports results to your baby’s healthcare provider, not directly to parents. Contact your baby’s doctor for results.
How to Contact the NC Newborn Hearing Screening Program
If your baby did not pass the hearing screening or you have concerns about your baby’s hearing:
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | ncnewbornhearing.org |
| CYSHCN Help Line | 1-800-737-3028 |
What Happens if Your Baby Doesn’t Pass
- A diagnostic hearing evaluation will be recommended
- This is a more thorough hearing test performed by an audiologist
- It should be done as soon as possible, ideally before your baby is 3 months old
- If hearing loss is confirmed, early intervention services begin right away
Quick Reference: Contact Information
| Who to Contact | How | When |
|---|---|---|
| CYSHCN Help Line | 1-800-737-3028 or CYSHCN.Helpline@dhhs.nc.gov | Any questions about newborn screening |
| Your Baby’s Doctor | Your pediatrician’s office | To get blood spot results or schedule follow-up |
| Hospital Nursery/NICU | Before discharge | To get heart and hearing screening results |
| NC Newborn Hearing Program | ncnewbornhearing.org | Hearing screening questions and follow-up |
| State Laboratory | slph.ncpublichealth.com/newborn | Information about screened conditions |
| Baby’s First Test | babysfirsttest.org | General newborn screening information |
Important Reminders for New Parents
- Ask for your baby’s results before leaving the hospital — heart and hearing screening results are ready before discharge.
- Blood spot results take a few days — ask your baby’s doctor at the first checkup.
- Follow up immediately if your doctor requests additional testing — early detection saves lives.
- Screening is not a diagnosis — an abnormal result means more testing is needed, not that your baby definitely has a condition.
- Over 35 conditions are screened through the blood spot test alone.
- The CYSHCN Help Line (1-800-737-3028) is available to answer any questions — call anytime.
- Services are available in Spanish — call the same number for Spanish-language support.
- Keep your baby’s screening records — you may need them for school enrollment, specialists, or future healthcare providers.
- Don’t skip well-baby visits — your pediatrician monitors development and can catch problems between screenings.
- Early intervention works — if a condition is found, treatment begins right away to give your baby the best possible start.
This guide is based on information from the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Public Health (updated 2/21). This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For the most current information, visit ncdhhs.gov/divisions/dph.
Leave a Reply