Blood Spot
Screening
As shown above, 172 of 84,652 infants born in our
state in calendar year 2011 were identified by newborn blood spot screening
as having a treatable congenital condition. That translates into 1 in
every 492 babies!
The average age of diagnosis
for babies with the severe life-threatening disorders that we screen for is
six days of age. For some babies in 2011 that was not soon enough to
prevent the beginning of clinical symptoms associated with their condition.
In one case, because of a delay between specimen collection and our receipt
of the specimen, newborn screening results were not available in time to
intervene and prevent toxicity, and the baby expired. We want to work
together to prevent this outcome in the future.
In 2012 we are evaluating
strategies to improve the transit time of the dried blood specimens from the
66 birthing and two pediatric care hospitals around the state (which is
currently an average of 2.9 days), so babies can be diagnosed and put on
appropriate treatment quicker. We will keep you informed of our progress.
Newborn Hearing Screening
2011
was a busy year for the Early Hearing-loss Detection, Diagnosis, and
Intervention (EHDDI) program. Highlights from the year include:
Updating Best
Practices for Assessing Hearing in Newborns - In June, we held a meeting
with Washington pediatric audiologists to update the Best Practices
Guidelines for evaluating infants for hearing loss.
Partnering
with Midwives to Screen More Out-of-Hospital Births - In November, the
EHDDI program began contracting with four midwives to offer newborn
hearing screens in Bainbridge Island, Bellingham, Everett, and Seattle.
New Computer Tracking System - In December, we switched to a new
computer system for tracking infants to make sure they get needed
hearing tests and services. The systemuses newer technology and has
more functionality. For example, the new system can directly send faxes
to providers and hospitals. This has been a huge time saver!
