Massachusetts Newborn Screening Advisory Committee (NBSAC)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Newborn Screening Advisory Committee (NBSAC) is charged with recommending mandated and optional newborn screening to the Commissioner of DPH; identifying how to best provide screening services; quality assurance and control of the Program and monitoring emerging research in newborn screening.

Newborn screening helps to prevent treatable disorders through early detection. Newborn screening is a worldwide standard of care. The New England Newborn Screening Program (NENSP) is operated out of the UMASS Chan Medical School. The Massachusetts program started in 1962. Currently, the program screens newborns in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The MA NBSAC serves Massachusetts only.

• New England Newborn Screening Program (NENSP)

• 105 CMR 270: Blood screening of newborns for treatable diseases and disorders
• MGL C. 111 s. 110A, Tests of newborn children for treatable disorders or diseases

To determine the disorders to be included in mandated newborn screening, the NBSAC makes recommendations to the Commissioner for final approval, based on the criteria below.  The Committee considers the following:

1. There is a significant, life-challenging risk of morbidity or mortality to those who have the disease or disorder if they are not treated in the newborn/infant period;
2. A standard of care screening test is universally available;
3. A standard of care diagnostic evaluation is universally available for all newborns/infants whose newborn screening results warrant such;
4. A standard of care treatment for the screened newborn/infant affected with the condition or disorder is universally available;
5. A standard of care treatment in the newborn/infant period or early childhood is beneficial to the screened newborn with a confirmed diagnosis;
6. Resources for and access to treatment and counseling are available; and
7. The positive health benefits outweigh the risks and burdens of screening and treatment.

Past events for Massachusetts Newborn Screening Advisory Committee (NBSAC)

For Information contact:
State Public Health Laboratory
305 South Street
Jamaica Plain, 02130
Phone: (617) 983-6688
Email: Newborn-Screening-Advisory-Committee-Suggestions@mass.gov