Why are two screens required in Texas?
A. It is standard practice to take the first sample early, during the hospital stay, to detect some of the disorders at the earliest possible opportunity. However, in some cases, the first sample can be taken too early and a disorder may only be detected on the second screen. Studies indicate that six to eight percent of hypothyroidism cases are detected on the second screen. The Board of Health has acted on this information and opted to provide a model program for the detection of these disorders.
