States Maine

Program Overview:

All newborns must be tested for several rare but serious medical conditions. Babies with these conditions may look healthy at birth. If not treated, these conditions can cause health problems such as intellectual disability, slow growth, and even death. With treatment, these problems may be prevented.  If your baby does have one of these disorders, the program will make sure your baby’s doctor knows where your baby can get specialty medical treatment if needed. You may be contacted by Children’s Developmental Services (CDS) to offer to check your baby for developmental delays or learning problems. Also, some of the information gathered at your baby’s doctor’s office will be shared with us to help us make sure that your baby is getting the best care possible.

Newborn Bloodspot (Heel Stick) Testing

A nurse or other medical professional will take a few drops of blood from your baby’s heel. This blood sample is sent to a newborn bloodspot screening laboratory. The blood should be drawn after your baby is 24 hours old, but before your baby is 48 hours old. Your baby’s doctor will contact you if the results suggest that your baby may have one of these conditions. The doctor will talk with you about the results and what needs to be done next. Ask about the test results when you see your baby’s doctor. Sometimes, a baby needs to be tested again. This does not necessarily mean that your baby has a medical condition. Retesting may need to be done if:

• The blood sample was taken before your baby was 24 hours old
• There was a problem with the way the blood sample was taken
• The first test showed a possible medical condition

Your baby’s doctor will contact you if your baby needs more testing. It is important to get this testing done right away.

How is newborn screening paid for in Maine?

Birthing Hospitals and home birth midwives are charged $220 per infant for the newborn bloodspot screening, and this fee covers any necessary retesting. Hospitals bill insurance companies for all routine care, including newborn bloodspot screening. Midwives incorporate the fee into what they charge for their services for a home birth. Any further financial concerns can be directed to the program coordinator.

Hearing Screening

In Maine, all hospitals with birth facilities offer newborn hearing screening before babies go home. A hearing screening is a test to tell if an infant might have a hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect a child's ability to develop communication, language, and learning. Testing is the only way to know if a baby has hearing loss. Hearing screening is quick, easy, and does not hurt. In Maine, the screening method used at birth facilities is Automated Auditory Brainstem Response or AABR. Small sensors are placed on the baby's head and earphones are also used. Soft sounds are presented while your baby sleeps naturally.

Hearing loss is the most commonly occurring disorder in infants in the US and affects as many as 1 to 3 out of 1,000 babies born each year. Genetic factors are the cause of hearing loss in some babies, particularly those with a family history of hearing loss. Delayed detection of hearing loss can lead to communication, social, psychological, behavioral and educational challenges. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be screened by 1 month of age, diagnosed by 3 months of age, and receive early intervention services no later than 6 months of age.

Learn more on Maine's hearing screening page.