State to expand tests for newborns

Malia Spencer

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 8:50 a.m.

The state Board of Health is poised to expand the number of tests given to newborns to screen for birth disorders.

After a hearing Tuesday brought no opposition, the proposal was scheduled to go to the board as early as August to double the fee for birth registration to pay for the increased tests, said Gloria Deyhle, health program specialist for the Bureau of Family Health Services.

In an effort to bring Nevada up to common practice in other states, the health board is being asked to increase to 24 the number of disorders for which newborns are tested, Deyhle said.

Deyhle, who is also a registered nurse, said currently babies born in Nevada are screened for six disorders including Phenylketonuria (PKU), hyperthyroid and sickle cell anemia.

The expansion of the screening is made possible by new technology called Tandem Mass Spectroscopy. The complex and expensive machine can test for more disorders with a smaller amount of blood, Deyhle said.

In addition to the expended screening the money will be used to give Nevada an active birth defects registry. A person will be hired to review all medical records to find babies with birth disorders and ensure the state provides proper services to their families. The employee will be charged with collecting accurate data, referring families to services and providing follow-up services for infants.

Currently Nevada is operating a passive system that only records birth defects that are recorded on the birth certificate.

The nationally recognized Oregon Public Health Laboratory in Portland, Ore., is the current screening provider and was awarded the expanded screening contract, Deyhle said. The lab also contracts with other Western states including Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii.

Under the plan the birth registration fee would rise from $28 to $60 to cover the costs.

The fee is usually covered by health insurers as part of hospital fees and not passed on to families, said Deyhle and University Medical Center spokeswoman Cheryl Persinger.

The drastic increase in cost was a concern for state health officials, Deyhle said. But she added, "for what it (the test) does it is very reasonable."

"I didn't expect much opposition, it's a good program," Deyhle said.

She added that hospitals have been supportive of the program.

"Hospitals have participated and collaborated with the program since day one," Deyhle said.

Martha Framsted, spokeswoman for the state Health Division, said all babies will be screened regardless of the parent's ability to pay.