Who We Are
The New England Newborn Screening Program helps prevent treatable disorders through early detection. The program started in 1962 in Massachusetts, screening for just one disease. Since that time, the number of treatable disorders in the program has increased, and newborn screening has been adopted worldwide as a routine standard of care.
Why Screen Newborns
Most babies, including those with disorders, appear healthy at birth. Routine screening of newborn babies can help doctors identify and treat certain disorders that are not apparent at birth but can become severe later on.
Ongoing Pilot Studies Support the Future of Newborn Screening
Massachusetts regularly evaluates new conditions through structured pilot studies. These optional programs provide critical data to guide evidence-based decisions and ensure that screening programs continue to evolve to meet the needs of infants and families.