What does the Minnesota Department of Health do with my babys blood sample and newborn screening results?
Testing for over 50 diseases uses up all or most of the blood drops taken from the baby. The Minnesota Department of Health securely stores the leftover blood sample and the newborn screening results. There are a number of reasons why the sample and the results are kept. For example: • The babys results can be repeated if needed without getting another blood sample from the baby • The babys sample is available to the baby’s parents for other health-related testing • The babys sample is available to the baby’s parents to help identify a missing or deceased child. Also, after all identifying information is removed from the samples (name, demographic information, etc.
