Newborn Screening Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Newborn Screening Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | NBS test, heel prick test, Guthrie test, newborn bloodspot screening, neonatal screening |
| Sample Type | Capillary blood via heel prick, collected onto a dried blood spot filter paper card |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required; the baby should have had breast milk or formula feeds before the test |
| Report Time | 5 to 7 days for blood test results; hearing and heart screening results are available immediately |
| Recommended For | All newborn infants; ideally collected 24 to 72 hours after birth |
| Price | Starting at ₹4,000 |
What Is a Newborn Screening Test?
A newborn screening test is a preventive health check performed shortly after a baby is born. It looks for a range of rare but serious inherited, metabolic, and hormonal conditions that are not visible at birth. Early detection means treatment can begin before symptoms appear, significantly improving outcomes. The test is also called the NBS test, the heel prick test, the Guthrie test, or newborn blood spot screening.
What Does a Newborn Screening Test Measure?
The heel prick test collects a small blood sample from the baby's heel, which is then tested for a range of conditions. The markers included depend on the panel chosen.
Here are the key parameters commonly assessed:
| Parameter | What It Screens For |
|---|---|
| TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) | Congenital hypothyroidism — low thyroid hormone affecting growth and brain development |
| Phenylalanine | Phenylketonuria (PKU) — inability to process the amino acid phenylalanine |
| 17-OHP | Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) — a hormonal disorder affecting the adrenal glands |
| G6PD enzyme activity | G6PD deficiency — a genetic condition affecting red blood cells |
| Galactose/GALT enzyme | Galactosaemia — inability to process galactose, the sugar found in milk |
| Haemoglobin variants | Sickle cell disease and other blood disorders |
| Biotinidase enzyme | Biotinidase deficiency — inability to use biotin (a B vitamin) properly |
| Acylcarnitines and amino acids | Fatty acid oxidation disorders and amino acid metabolism conditions |
| IRT (Immunoreactive Trypsinogen) | Cystic fibrosis — a condition affecting the lungs and digestion |
Why Is a Newborn Screening Test Done?
The newborn screening test is recommended for all babies because the conditions it detects show no obvious signs at birth. Identifying them early can prevent serious or permanent health complications.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Most conditions picked up by newborn bloodspot screening produce no visible symptoms in the early days of life. The test is therefore recommended for all newborns, not just those showing signs of illness. Situations where screening becomes especially important include:
- No visible symptoms at birth despite an underlying condition being present
- Family history of inherited metabolic or genetic disorders
- Consanguinity (closely related parents)
- Premature birth or low birth weight
- Admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Jaundice that is unusually prolonged or severe
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The NBS test can help identify a wide range of conditions. The following are among the most commonly screened:
- Congenital hypothyroidism: Slows brain and physical development
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): Leads to a build-up of phenylalanine, which can cause cognitive delays and seizures if untreated
- Cystic fibrosis: Affects breathing, digestion, and growth, and increases the risk of infections
- Sickle cell disease: Prevents blood cells from circulating normally, causing organ damage and pain
- Galactosaemia: Inability to process milk sugar, which can lead to liver damage, jaundice, and other serious complications
- Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD): A fatty acid breakdown disorder that can cause low blood sugar and vomiting during illness or fasting
- Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), isovaleric acidaemia, glutaric aciduria type 1, and homocystinuria: Inherited metabolic conditions
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and biotinidase deficiency
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The newborn screening test requires very little preparation. Here is what parents and caregivers should know before the test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The baby should have had some breast milk or formula before the sample is taken, as adequate protein intake helps ensure accurate results for certain markers such as phenylalanine.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps can help make the process smooth and comfortable for both baby and parent:
- Feed your baby shortly before the test to help ensure accurate results
- Keep your baby warm and comfortable before and during sample collection
- Hold your baby close or feed them during the heel prick to help keep them calm
- Ensure the test is done within the recommended window of 24 to 72 hours after birth
- Inform the healthcare provider of any transfusions or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) the baby has received
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection for the heel prick test is quick and straightforward. Here is what happens:
- The healthcare provider gently warms the baby's heel to encourage blood flow to the area.
- A small, quick prick is made on the heel. The baby may cry briefly, but it is over in seconds and leaves no mark.
- A few drops of blood are collected directly onto a specially designed filter paper card.
- The card is left to dry flat at room temperature for at least three hours.
- Once dry, the card is dispatched to the laboratory for analysis using methods such as tandem mass spectrometry and immunoassays.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of the results. Being aware of these helps ensure the sample is collected correctly:
- Sampling before 24 hours of age
- Blood transfusions before the test, which can affect results for thyroid and cystic fibrosis screening
- Prematurity (especially below 32 weeks), which may require repeat testing
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which can alter metabolic marker levels
- Poor sample quality, such as insufficient blood saturation on the filter paper card
Understanding Your Newborn Screening Test Results
Unlike most blood tests, newborn bloodspot screening does not compare values against a numerical reference range. Instead, results fall into categories that indicate whether further testing is needed.
| Parameters | Normal test result | Abnormal test result |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Spot Screening | Within normal limits/Negative | • Borderline • Trait • Positive/Abnormal |
| Hearing Test | Pass | Refer (did not pass) |
| CCHHD screen | Pass | Did not pass |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your baby's age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain circumstances can affect how results should be interpreted:
- Babies born before 32 weeks of gestation may need a repeat test for hypothyroidism at 28 days of life.
- A blood transfusion received before the day-five blood spot collection can make thyroid and cystic fibrosis screening results unreliable.
- Samples collected within the first 24 hours of life may produce inaccurate results for some markers.
- Total parenteral nutrition can alter the levels of certain metabolic markers.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While the newborn screening test itself is a one-time check, parents can support the process and their baby's health in the following ways:
- Ensure the sample is collected within the recommended 24 to 72-hour window after birth.
- Attend all follow-up appointments promptly if the laboratory contacts you about any results.
- If a repeat test is recommended, have it done as soon as advised to avoid delays in diagnosis.
Lupin Diagnostics Newborn Screening Test Price and Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers the newborn screening test starting at ₹4,000, with home sample collection available across major cities.
| Newborn Screening 55 Disorders (TMS – 49 Disorders + NBS 6) | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Guwahati | ₹4,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹4,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹4,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹4,000 |
| Pune | ₹4,000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics provides home sample collection for the NBS test across cities, so the heel prick can be performed in the comfort of your home. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained technologists. Digital reports are delivered securely via email or WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal time for the heel prick test is between 24 and 48 hours after birth, and no later than 7 days of age. Collecting the sample too early (before 24 hours) can produce inaccurate results for some conditions, so timing matters.
The prick is very quick and leaves no mark. Your baby may cry briefly, but discomfort is minimal. Feeding and holding your baby close during the test can help keep them calm and settled.
A screen-positive result does not confirm a diagnosis. It means the baby has an elevated risk for a condition and needs further confirmatory testing. A healthcare professional will contact you, explain what the result means, and refer your baby to a specialist if needed.
This depends on the panel selected. A basic panel covers 7 to 11 conditions, while an expanded panel using tandem mass spectrometry can screen for 50 or more metabolic, endocrine, and blood disorders. Your doctor can advise on the most suitable panel.
India does not currently have a national newborn screening programme. However, state-level programmes have been introduced in Kerala, Goa, and Chandigarh. Elsewhere, the test is strongly recommended by paediatric specialists and is available through private diagnostic laboratories.
Yes. Home collection for the newborn bloodspot screening is available through Lupin Diagnostics. A trained phlebotomist visits your home, collects the heel-prick sample on the filter paper card, and sends it to the laboratory for analysis.
Premature babies can and should have the NBS test, ideally at 48 to 72 hours after birth. Babies born before 32 weeks may need an additional repeat test for hypothyroidism at 28 days of life. Inform your healthcare provider of the baby's gestational age so the appropriate follow-up can be arranged.
Newborn Screening Test: Booking, Price, and Results
