Collection instructions:

1.Collect blood for newborn screening at 24 hours of age.

Transfused infants: Take the newborn screen sample prior to a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions are known to affect the screening for the hemoglobinopathies because the donor blood. If an infant has a blood transfusion prior to their newborn screen, a repeat whole blood sample should be obtained 4 to 6 months after their last transfusion.

2.Complete the required patient information on the collection card and ensure that the expiration date of the collection card has not passed.

3.Collect blood from the most medial or lateral portion of the plantar surface of the heel; allow blood to soak through to completely fill each of the preprinted circles; do not apply layers of successive blood drops to the same printed circle; inspect both sides of the collection card to be sure blood is soaked through to the back of the card.

4.Allow blood specimen to air dry for a minimum of three hours on a horizontally level, nonabsorbent, open surface at an ambient temperature of 18 to 25 °C.

5. Fold-over cover provides protection from contamination before blood collection, during specimen transportation and during specimen storage after analysis. Blood spots must be thoroughly dry before the flap is closed over spots.

6.The collection card/dried blood specimen should be transported to the laboratory with the appropriate tracking documentation and within 24 hours of collection.

Special Precautions

1.Premature infants who are less than 32 weeks of gestational age, screening must be repeated after the infant completes 32 weeks.  

2. Indicate the transfusion status and the date of latest transfusion on the newborn screening collection card.