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Health Prevention and Screening

Infant Health Prevention and Screening Programs

Newborn Screening Program

The Newborn Screening (NBS) program works to assure all newborns in the state are screened for 31 conditions which, if not detected early, could lead to severe illness, disability, or death. Newborn screening takes place before your newborn leaves the hospital. Positive results from blood spot screening are tracked by specialized follow-up nurses. Assistance in interpretation and follow-up of abnormal results is provided through collaboration with subspecialists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Newborn Screening Parent Brochure: English | Spanish | Marshallese

Arkansas Infant Hearing Program

The Infant Hearing Program provides resource information available to families with infants or toddlers who have been diagnosed with hearing loss from national support organizations, service clubs to financial assistance options. Information is also available detailing terminology, communication choices, how to deal with emotions, and information about hearing and hearing loss. Call the Arkansas Department of Health at 501-280-4740 for more information.

Baby’s First Test

Baby’s First Test brings together resources to help guide parents and health professionals. With every state having its own newborn screening program, you can learn specifically what screenings are available in Arkansas, search additional information about 80 screenable conditions, join parenting blogs, and access educational resources from across the U.S.

Save Babies Through Screening

Save Babies Through Screening Foundation educates parents, pediatric healthcare providers, and policy makers about available comprehensive newborn screening, the importance of obtaining positive or other test results requiring follow-up actions within five days of birth, and the importance of prompt confirmatory testing and treatment/management when needed.

Sisters United

Sisters United is a community-based focused initiative between the Arkansas Department of Health and African American sororities designed to increase public awareness and promote healthy behaviors aimed at reducing infant mortality among African Americans.

Brothers United

Brothers United is a community-based focused initiative between the Arkansas Department of Health and African American fraternities designed to increase public awareness and promote healthy behaviors aimed at reducing infant mortality among African Americans.

Text4Baby

Text4baby is a FREE bilingual (English/Spanish) mobile health national information service that provides pregnant women and new moms with babies under age one with health tips and resources via text. Individuals can enroll in the service by texting ‘Baby’ (English) or ‘Bebe’ (Spanish) to 511411 or online using enrollment buttons on text4baby and partner websites.

Contact Information

For additional information, resources, and available programs on Newborn Screening, contact the Arkansas Department of Health at 1-800-462-0599 or go to www.healthy.arkansas.gov.

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