Newborn Screening Program Expansion in Arkansas
Arkansas is taking a significant step forward in ensuring the health and well-being of its newborns. The Arkansas Department of Health has announced an enhancement to its newborn screening (NBS) program, a move that will improve the state’s efforts in detecting and treating rare genetic conditions in newborns. The enhanced program is a result of a .4 million federal grant awarded to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) professor Laura Hays, who will lead the project known as the Arkansas Coordinated NBS Expansion through Collaboration and Technology (AR CNECT).
The new program aims to create a comprehensive educational program for healthcare providers and families, raising public awareness of the importance of newborn screening for genetic disorders. The program will also expand outreach services to families with newborns who screen positive for genetic conditions, ensuring they have access to necessary resources and support. This expansion includes the addition of a full-time licensed social worker to consult and connect families with available services.
In the past, newborns in Arkansas have been screened for conditions such as phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell disease. The AR CNECT program will not only continue to detect these conditions but also expand its reach to underserved communities through digital health services.
The project will work closely with UAMS Regional Campuses and the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation to ensure newborns receive the necessary care and support. This effort will ultimately help reduce health disparities and empower families to take a proactive role in their children’s healthcare.
Arkansas has a long history of newborn screening, beginning with PKU screening in 1981, followed by additional conditions being added subsequently. The state screens nearly all newborns for genetic disorders, with 97.6% of babies born in Arkansas undergoing screening in 2023. This expansion of the program will continue to build upon the state’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to its newborns.
