Newborn Screening Services

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect and are a leading cause of infant death due to birth defects. Approximately 25% of these defects are critical and require medical or surgical treatment within the first year of life. In 2011 the US Secretary of Health and Human Services recommended that all newborns be screened for CCHD using pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry is a simple, non-invasive test that measures the oxygen level in a baby’s blood. The goal of this screening is to identify newborns with heart defects often associated with low blood oxygen levels before they are discharged to home. Early identification can prevent serious illness or death resulting from a missed or delayed diagnosis of CCHD. Pulse oximetry screening for CCHD became part of Montana’s newborn screening requirements in July 2014.

Amber Bell

Conditions Screened by State: Select your state (or territory) for contact information for your state's program and to learn which conditions are tested.

Find a Condition: Select a condition that could be identified in newborn screening to find more information.

BabysFirstTest.org was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Cooperative Agreement no. U36MC16509 (Quality Assessment of the Newborn Screening System).

Most babies are healthy when they are born. Montana tests all babies because a few babies look healthy but have rare health problems. If we find these problems early, we can help prevent serious outcomes like mental retardation or death. For more information see the Montana CSHS Website

Linda Beischel, Newborn Screening Coordinator
Laboratory Services Bureau

The Montana Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention (NBHSI) Program's goal is to ensure that all infants in Montana are provided with adequate newborn hearing screening services and resources. This is important as early intervention, before the age of six months, prevents permanent language problems. To meet this goal, the NBHSI program follows the 1-3-6 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines established by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. All babies should be screened by one month, those with hearing loss are diagnosed by a qualified pediatric audiologist by three months and receive early intervention services and intervention for their hearing loss by age six months.

Amber Bell