Virginia
Disorders Screened in Virginia
Virginia does NOT provide the full panel of screenings recommended by the Save Babies Through Screening Foundation. Parents should seek supplemental screening for the disorders and conditions not included in the state's panel.
The disorders that are screened, or likely to be detected, by your state's program are identified by the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center in simplified format or in PDF format.
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Effective March 1, 2006, Virginia screens for 28 disorders identified through dried blood-spot screening per the Core Panel of recommendations by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). Every infant is tested unless a parent or guardian objects on the grounds that the test conflicts with personal religious practice. (Hearing loss screening has been provided since July 1, 2000.)
Virginia Newborn Screening Services is a program of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Family Health Services, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Pediatric Screening and Genetic Services. The program is a coordinated and comprehensive system, consisting of education, dried blood-spot screening tests, follow-up and referral, diagnosis, medical and dietary management, and treatment. The state public health laboratory, Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratories (DCLS), conducts the dried blood-spot screening tests in collaboration with VDH. The laboratory has daily contract courier services to hospitals and health departments statewide for overnight delivery of samples and return delivery of patient reports. The laboratory operates 6 days a week (including holidays) to assure 24 hour turnaround time for results.
VDH newborn screening nurses review all abnormal screening reports; coordinate follow-up activities (which includes referring all individuals who are diagnosed with certain hertiable disorders or genetic diseases to the Care Connection for Children Program) until the infant is diagnosed, screened negative, or reaches 6 months of age; and complete data. The data are maintained for statistical purposes and kept confidential, concerning suspect and/or confirmed cases.
In addition, VDH manages a Formula Distribution and Purchase Plan, which provides certain metabolic formulas, or mechanisms to purchase these metabolic formulas, to Virginia residents who meet the financial and medical eligibility criteria. VDH also manages the Food/Supplements Reimbursement Plan, which provides limited reimbursement for certain low protein modified foods and/or metabolic supplements to Virginia residents who meet the financial and medical eligibility criteria.
Background: Newborn screening is mandated by the Code of Virginia. In 1966 Virginia began screening infants for one disorder: Phenylketonuria (PKU). On March 1, 2004, Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD) was added to the screening panel using technology that would enable expanded screening. Legislation to require expanding the panel to 28 disorders was signed into law in April, 2005. This amended the Code of Virginia to ensure that the Virginia newborn screening panel is consistent with the Core Panel of disorders recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics.* On March 1, 2006, Virginia implemented the Core Panel of conditions identified through newborn dried blood-spot screening tests, thus expanding from 11 to 28 conditions. (*Read the ACMG report, Newborn Screening: Toward a Uniform Screening Panel and System. See the list of disorders included in the Core Panel and Secondary Targets per the ACMG report.)
Newborn Screening Advisory Committee Information
The Virginia Genetics Advisory Committee, Newborn Screening Subcommittee, serves as the Virginia newborn screening advisory committee.
Virginia Genetics Advisory Committee Chairperson
Dr. Joanna Bodurtha
Medical College of Virginia Hospital & Physicians
Pediatric Specialty Services
P.O. Box 980646
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone- (804) 828-9617
Fax- (804) 828-2062
Virginia Genetics Advisory Committee Meeting Dates:
The committee meets twice a year - spring and fall. Meeting dates are posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and VDH Meetings Calendar.
Location of Meetings:
Richmond, VA
More Information and Support Resources
- Virginia Newborn Screening Services
- Virginia Genetics Program
- Virginia Infant Screening and Tracking System
- Virginia Pediatric Screening & Genetic Services
- Virginia Genetics Advisory Committee
- Family Village Community Center
Please write to us if you have any updates, changes, or new information to be added to this page.
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