|
|
|
| You are here: DOH Home » EHSPHL Home » PHL Home » NBS Home »NBS Stats | Search | Employees |
Washington State Newborn Screening Program Statistics / Bulletin
Created 5-21-2008
|
2008 Statistics |
||
|
1st Quarter |
2008 |
General |
|
20,670 |
20,670 |
Hospital Births* |
|
41,333 |
41,333 |
Specimens Tested (most infants have two newborn screens performed) |
|
1st Quarter |
2008 |
Infants Diagnosed |
| 0 | 0 |
Biotinidase Deficiency |
| 3 | 3 |
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia |
| 23 | 23 |
Congenital Hypothyroidism |
| 3 | 3 |
Cystic Fibrosis |
| 0 | 0 |
Galactosemia |
| 0 | 0 |
Homocystinuria |
| 1 | 1 |
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) |
| 2 | 2 |
Medium-Chain Acyl Co-A Dehydrogenase (MCAD) Deficiency |
| 1 | 1 |
Phenylketonuria (PKU) |
| 3 | 3 |
Sickle Cell Disease and Other Clinically Significant Hemoglobinopathies |
|
36 |
36 |
All Dried Blood Tests Combined |
| 11 | 11 |
Early Hearing Loss** |
|
47 |
47 |
All Disorders Combined |
*Hospital births do not include births occurring in military hospitals.
**Current number of infants reported by audiologists as diagnosed with hearing loss - the national and state goal is for
infants to be diagnosed by three months of age.
THE “PKU TEST” THREATENS BABIES
Please Stop Calling It That!
Old habits die hard and many still refer to the newborn screening specimen as the "PKU test." But this misnomer now poses serious risk to children born with the other disorders on our panel. Too often, in hospitals and clinics, information about an abnormal test is translated to "the PKU test was positive". We are aware of several instances where incorrect diagnostic testing (for phenylketonuria) was ordered. This is despite our efforts to effectively and clearly communicate the results, including detailed memos and specific requisition forms via fax for any referrals. The situation is especially dangerous for several conditions included on the panel that can be life-threatening during the first week after birth. Any mix-up or delay in diagnostic testing could be the difference between life and death.
Please make efforts to educate your doctors, nurses, midwives, phlebotomists, administrative and support staff about this important issue. We suggest using one of the following terms instead of the PKU test: the dried blood spot test, the heelstick test, or the State newborn screen.
Thank you for all that you do in helping us achieve our goal of saving babies' lives. We depend on you to provide good quality specimens for every baby, with complete and accurate information that arrive in our laboratory as quickly as possible. We assure you that we are constantly striving to improve our laboratory testing and follow-up procedures.
We ask that you share this information with staff at your facility. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call our office at (206) 418-5410 or visit us on the web at www.doh.wa.gov/nbs. Thank you.
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information
 |
Washington State Department of Health Last
Update :
06/11/2008 09:06 AM
|
