Blood Screening Delays Prove Dangerous for Newborns

December 3, 2013 | Crandall & Pera Law
Blood Screening Delays Prove Dangerous for Newborns

Delays in routine screening blood tests given to newborns to check for several dozen medical disorders are causing babies to die or become permanently disabled nationwide, according to a report in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

"Heel prick" tests have been performed for 50 years as a means to identify disorders in time to improve or save the lives of more than 12,000 newborns in the U.S. each year. "The entire premise of newborn screening is to detect disorders quickly so babies can be treated early, averting death and preventing or limiting brain damage, disability and a lifetime of costly medical care," writes Journal Sentinel reporter Ellen Gabler.

Yet, at least 160,000 blood samples from newborns arrived late to labs across the country last year, according to analysis of tests from 31 states. As a result of this delayed lab work, many babies across the nation received delayed diagnoses of otherwise treatable illnesses.

"[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"][A]ny late test could be catastrophic for a child with one of the disorders caught by screening," writes Gabler. "Hours can mark the difference between a child who suffers permanent brain damage and a child who lives a healthy life with a modified diet." Read the full details here:

Hospitals put babies at risk with delays in newborn screenings

A must-read for any expectant mom or anyone considering having a baby. Newborn screening blood work is always drawn, but sometimes not sent to the lab or examined until it is too late for the baby to benefit from these results.

If your child has been injured due to medical malpractice, including delays in diagnosis, please call to investigate your matter fully. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]