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Newborn Screening Panel

Laboratory Fee Schedule

Procedure #:  N/A
CPT: S3620, 82016, 82128

Synonym(s):    NBS
Requisition Form     NBS3 (Medicaid/Charity/CHIP) or NBS4 (Insurance/Self-Pay) Specimen Collection Kits
 
Test Description     Amino Acid, Fatty Acid Oxidation, and Organic Acid disorders, Classic Galactosemia, Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Biotinidase Deficiency, Hemoglobinopathies, Cystic Fibrosis, X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency and Spinal Muscular Atrophy due to homozygous deletion of exon 7 in SMN1. 
*Texas does not test for all the disorders listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP).  The full list of conditions on the Texas Newborn Screening Panel can be found here.
Pre-Approval Needed     N/A
Supplemental Information Required N/A
Supplemental Form(s) N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources) Human 
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing
Minimum Volume/Size   Required 5 completely saturated  blood spots
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping

Dried filter paper blood spots

  • Allow card to dry thoroughly at room temperature in a horizontal position for at least 3 hours. Do NOT allow specimen to touch any surface. 
  • Cover dried filter paper blood specimens with attached flap. 
  • Keep specimen away from heat and direct sunlight.
Transport Medium N/A
Specimen Labeling 
  • Provide all information requested on the Demographic Form attached to the Newborn Screening Specimen Collection kit.
  • Two patient-specific identifiers (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number) and date of collection are required. If not provided, specimen will be rejected.

Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements

DRIED FILTER PAPER BLOOD SPECIMENS

  • U.S. Postal regulations require Double containment of dried blood filter paper specimens. Ensure specimens are thoroughly dried prior to placing in envelope.
  • 1st containment: Use the attached wrap-around cover with printed universal biohazard symbol. Do not put biohazard labels on outside of envelope.
  • 2nd containment: Place dried filter paper blood specimen in an envelope that is not hermetically sealed. Do not put specimens in plastic bags.
  • Ship as soon as possible; national recommendations states that first screen specimens should arrive to the DSHS Laboratory within 24hrs after collection.
  • If placing more than one specimen in an envelope rotate each specimen 180° such that the blood specimens do not touch.
  • Avoid temperatures greater than 100°F. 

Shipping address can be found at:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/nbs_collect_reqs.shtm#shipSpec
Method(s) Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Immunofluorometric, Fluorometric, Colorimetric, Isoelectric Focusing, Multiplex  Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA Sequencing
Turn-around Time Results available within 3-5 working days of specimen receipt in the DSHS laboratory.
Interferences/Limitations Transfusion, Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), Hematocrit levels, prematurity, and age of the infant may affect the interpretation of results. Anticoagulants such as EDTA, citrate, and heparin may cause inaccurate test results and must not be used during the collection of the specimen.
Common Causes for   Rejection
  • Use of expired Newborn Screening collection kit
  • No date of collection provided.
  • Missing/invalid patient demographic information
  • Kit serial number on patient demographic form does not match the kit serial number on the specimen filter pape
  • Specimens not received at the DSHS Laboratory within 13 days of collection will be unsatisfactory for testing and require a recollection. Day of collection is equal to day 1.
  • Insufficient blood
  • Incomplete saturation, contamination, or caked, clotted or layered blood. 

Visit website for complete list.
 Additional Information

Additional information:

  • Prior to use Newborn Screening Collection kits should be stored in original wrapping and stacked in a manner (vertically) to avoid compression of the filter paper.
  • The newborn screening may NOT identify all babies with the disorders on the panel. If the baby is showing clinical symptoms or family history of a condition, the newborn screen results alone should not be used to rule out or confirm a condition; diagnostic testing should be pursued.
  • Abnormal screen results will be followed up by Clinical Care Coordination 

Other useful websites:

NBS Laboratory Web Page 
NBS Clinical Care Coordination Web Page