Overview

Newborn screening is a public health program that checks all babies shortly after birth for certain serious but treatable conditions. It includes a small blood sample from the baby’s heel, a hearing screen, and a pulse oximetry test to look for critical congenital heart disease.

Most babies have normal results, but when a screen is abnormal, prompt follow-up helps confirm a diagnosis and start care early to support the best possible outcomes.

Newborn receiving a Hearing Screening

Newborn Screening Programs

Critical Congenital Heart Defects (CCHD) Screening

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Alaska’s Critical Congenital Heart Defects (CCHD) Screening Program screens all newborns for serious heart defects using pulse oximetry.
Critical Congenital Heart Defects (CCHD) Screening

Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program

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Alaska’s newborn bloodspot screening program screens all Alaskan infants for inherited and congenital conditions that may not be obvious at birth but could cause disability or death if not treated.
Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening

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The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program is designed to identify hearing loss in newborns as early as possible, ensuring that timely interventions are made to support their development.

 

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening

Who qualifies

All newborns in Alaska qualify for newborn screening.

How to sign up

Most babies are screened where they are born (hospital, birth center, or home birth provider).

If your baby was not screened at the place of birth, ask your child's healthcare provider what to do next.

Resources

Contact us

Newborn Screening Programs