General Information
Effective August 1, 2005, California expanded its newborn screening panel from four disorders to nearly all of those included in national recommendations. The newborn screening fee was increased from $60 to $78, with public and private insurance expected to cover the charge. There are more than 500,000 babies born annually in the state. It is projected that the expanded screening will detect serious disorders in more than 600 California infants per year.

BACKGROUND:
From January, 2002, until June, 2003, California had conducted an optional supplemental newborn screening program for more than 25 additional disorders.  During the 18 months of the pilot program, 320,000 infants were screened supplementally shortly after birth. Among these, 41 infants were diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disorder, 11 of which were identified as MCAD Deficiency. Project data suggested that the incidence of these disorders is higher than originally anticipated, and infants with Hispanic ancestry may be more susceptible to some of these disorders. Further data is necessary to confirm these findings.

When the pilot program expired, no funds were allocated for adding these disorders to the existing newborn screening program. California residents and newborn screening advocates campaigned vigorously to restore screening for the piloted disorders. Senator Dede Alpert led the battle in the legislature in 2004 that resulted in passage of a bill to require expanding the newborn screening program in 2005. That legislation would add more than 30 disorders and their various forms to the state's newborn screening panel by August, 2005. Meanwhile, California informed parents about supplemental newborn screening and how to obtain it for their babies.

In another project, Dr. Norgaard Peterson is conducting a study using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to test for Galactosemia, and California is supplying the newborn screening specimens for this study (reported by the Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center).

Newborn Screening Advisory Committee
Unknown at this time

California NBSAC Chairperson
Unknown at this time

NBSAC Meeting Dates
Unknown at this time

Location of Meetings
Unknown at this time

• California Family Village Community Center
• California Newborn Screening Program Website
• Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center
• Parents Helping Parents (PHP)