The program just about doubles the number of targeted conditions that the state has been screening since 1980. California is one of only 13 states that screen infants for more than 30 conditions.
The basic testing, which involves withdrawing blood from an infant's heel, is a widely accepted procedure in preventive pediatrics. The additional screenings are made possible through a new technology, introduced in the 1990s, called tandem mass spectrometry. If the baby tests positive for a disorder, the state first verifies that the results are not a false positive, and then tracks the child to ensure he or she receives proper treatment. Some of these disorders can be treated simply through a special diet for the infant.
The screening for 30-odd conditions had enabled the state to identify some 525 infants with disorders annually. Under the expanded program, the health department estimates that it will be able to identify an additional 80 to 100 infants with genetic disorders per year.
The test, which costs roughly $78 for each infant, will be covered through private insurance or Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. The law allows parents to refuse the testing.
