Newborn Screening Program

What is the Indiana Newborn Screening Program?

The Indiana Newborn Screening Program is a state-funded program within the Maternal and Child Health division at the Indiana Department of Health. The Newborn Screening Program is mandated by the State of Indiana to ensure that timely and quality newborn screening occurs for each and every Hoosier baby.

Indiana's newborn screening law requires that every baby born in Indiana be screened for over 50 conditions. Newborn screening must be done before the baby leaves the hospital. Babies born at home must have newborn screening within 5 days of birth.

Click here to view Indiana's Newborn Screening Laws (Beginning on IC 16-41-17)

Click here to view Indiana's Newborn Screening Rules (Beginning on 410 IAC 3-3)

What is newborn screening?

Newborn screening is a special set of three screens that help identify babies who are at risk for certain conditions. A newborn baby may look healthy, but can have a serious condition that cannot be seen. These conditions can be treated if found early. Currently, Indiana screens for metabolic conditions, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, congenital hearing loss, critical congenital heart disease, lysosomal storage disorders, among other conditions.

View the complete list of conditions we screen for in Indiana!

Why is newborn screening performed?

The conditions that newborn screening looks for will often go undetected in babies, making it very difficult to diagnose early on and treat as soon as possible. By performing newborn screening between 24-48 hours of life, it allows newborns to be diagnosed early with these rare, often life-threatening, conditions as soon as possible so they can receive treatment. Early treatment of these conditions can make all the difference in the long-term health outcomes of each baby!

Visit our Newborn Screening Basics page to learn more! 

Page last revised 02/28/2022 by JWeaver