Testing of newborn infants

  1. Law
  2. Arkansas Code
  3. Public Health and Welfare
  4. Health and Safety
  5. Disease and Disease Prevention Generally
  6. Phenylketonuria, Hypothyroidism, and Sickle-Cell Anemia
  7. Testing of newborn infants

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  1. (a)

    1. (1)

      1. (A) All newborn infants shall be tested for phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, galactosemia, cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, and spinal muscular atrophy.

      2. (B) In addition, if reliable and efficient testing techniques are available, all newborn infants shall be tested for other genetic disorders by employing procedures approved by the State Board of Health.

    2. (2)

      1. (A) Medicaid shall reimburse the hospital that performs the tests required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section for the cost of the tests.

      2. (B) The reimbursement shall be in addition to the hospital's per diem payments for the newborn infant.

  2. (b) All positive test results shall be sent immediately to the Department of Health.

  3. (c)

    1. (1) The department shall establish and maintain a program of reviewing and following up on positive cases so that measures may be taken to prevent intellectual and other developmental disability or other permanent disabilities.

    2. (2)

      1. (A) Information on newborn infants and their families compiled under this section may be used by the department and persons or public or private entities designated by the department.

      2. (B) Information used under subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section may not refer to or disclose the identity of any person.

    3. (3) All materials, data, and information received by the department are confidential and are not subject to examination or disclosure as public information under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq.

  4. (d)

    1. (1) The department shall conduct an intensive educational and training program among physicians, hospitals, public health nurses, and the public concerning the disorders covered under this section.

    2. (2) The program shall include information concerning:

      1. (A) The nature of the disorders;

      2. (B) Testing for the detection of these disorders; and

      3. (C) Treatment modalities for these disorders.

  5. (e) The provisions of this section shall not apply if the parents or legal guardian of a newborn infant object to the testing on medical, religious, or philosophical grounds.

  6. (f) Testing for cystic fibrosis under this section shall be implemented only if funding is available.


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