States Alaska

Program Overview:

Alaska law requires that all babies born in Alaska receive screening tests for phenylketonuria (PKU) and other metabolic conditions that can result in intellectual disability and other serious health problems. The specimen is collected during the first 24-48 hours of life.  Some infants may have specimens collected before 24 hours of life, including infants receiving blood products, those being transferred out of state, or those being discharged early. Facilities and providers should follow their protocols for these situations.

Diagnostic confirmatory testing may be requested on a newborn with an abnormal screening test result. A newborn with an abnormal result shall be referred to a health care provider for diagnostic confirmatory testing.

The newborn screening team consists of local health care providers, including Alaska hospitals, physicians, and midwives who collect blood samples after birth and the program manager and metabolic clinic manager employed by Women, Children and Family Health (WCFH). Alaska’s newborn bloodspot screening testing is completed by the Iowa State Hygienic Lab.  Metabolic specialists from the University of Utah. Metabolic clinics in Anchorage and Fairbanks provide ongoing evaluation and treatment in management three times a year.

The Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Committee, composed of local health care providers, hospital laboratory personnel, parents of children with NBS-detected disorders, midwives, and specialists, provides recommendations for program planning and evaluation.

How is Newborn Screening Paid for in Alaska?

Alaska charges $190.50 for newborn bloodspot screening. This covers all required screens per infant.