Mississippi

Disorders Screened in Mississippi
Mississippi provides screening for all of the disorders recommended by Save Babies Through Screening Foundation.

General Information
PerkinElmer Genetics, Inc. performs all of Mississippi's newborn screening. The specimens are sent by an overnight courier each day. Mississippi has approximately 42,000 births each year.

Background: Effective June 1, 2003, newborns born in Mississippi are screened for all disorders recommended by Save Babies Through Screening Foundation. The fee increased from $35 to $70, with a small portion of the increase providing for the actual screening, and the balance applying to the state's follow-up program. PerkinElmer Genetics, Inc. (formerly Neo Gen Screening), a private laboratory well-known for its expertise in newborn screening, has been engaged by Mississippi to conduct the screening for all disorders.

The additional disorders for which Mississippi began screening on June 1, 2003, resulted from the implementation of House Bill 717--The Ben Haygood Comprehensive Newborn Screening Program. The bill was written in 2002, signed into law in April of 2003, and implemented June 1, 2003.

The earlier Ben Haygood bill, House Bill # 986, was signed into law on Monday, April 16, 2001. Named for Ben Haygood who died suddenly from undetected MCAD Deficiency at the age of 2½, the bill required that attending physicians for newborns inform parents of additional screenings available beyond those required by Mississippi state law. It also required that the State Department of Health develop informational materials about comprehensive newborn screening to distribute to medical professionals and the public. Read Ben's story.

• Haygood screening program now in effect - 6/6/2003
• State Health Officer Announces Groundbreaking Newborn Screening Program - 6/6/2003
• Informing Parents About Additional Newborn Screening - Spring 2001

Mississippi NBSAC Chairperson
Unknown at this time.

NBSAC Meeting Dates
The NBSAC meets quarterly.

Location of Meetings
Jackson, Mississippi.