Infantile Krabbe Disease Added to the NBS Panel
The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Board approved the addition of Infantile Krabbe Disease (IKD) to the Oregon panel. The NWRNBS Program will implement screening for IKD on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Please review the following documents for more information about the disorder:
Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program Notices
On January 1st, 2026, the existing Oregon Administrative Rules will be amended by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division, Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program (NWRNBS Program) to align with recent changes in statute (2025 Oregon Laws, Chapter 203 (HB 2741)) and adjust rules to align with practice guidelines.
- Amendments to OAR 333-024-1000 and OAR 333-024-1050 add in the ability of parents or legal guardians to opt out of screening because of their religious or philosophical beliefs. This aligns the rule with statutory changes. 2025 Oregon Laws, Chapter 203 (HB 2741).
- Amendments to OAR 333-024-1000 and OAR 333-024-1050 incorporates more inclusive language with the addition of legal guardians or parents. This aligns the rule with new statutory changes. 2025 Oregon Laws, Chapter 203 (HB 2741).
- Updates to OAR 333-024-1040 require a blood card be submitted for all babies born in Oregon. If no blood is collected on the card, because parents or legal guardians opt out of screening (refusal), the baby is transferred to another care facility prior to 24 hours of life, or the baby is deceased, the persons responsible for collecting specimens (OAR 333-024-1020 to 333-024-1025) must still complete the demographic information on the card and send it to the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. An opt out for religious or philosophical beliefs requires the parent or legal guardian to also complete the Objection to Newborn Screening Blood Test form.
- Methods of testing for each listed disorder has been removed to allow the laboratory to update methods as needed to ensure accuracy of results and alignment with best practices (OAR 333-024-1070).
- Updates to OAR 333-024-1080 adds consistency by including legal before guardian.
Please review the documents below for more information:
(PH_25-2025TrackedChanges.pdf)
Annual Reports
The annual report summaries activities within the Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program and provides data on key performance metrics.
Laboratory Data Systems Replacement Project
Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) operates using multiple legacy laboratory information management systems (LIMS). To improve laboratory work flows and services for clients, OSPHL has undertaken the large project to identify and implement the best possible LIMS available for our lab. At this time, we anticipate system implementation will occur sometime in 2025. For more information about the project and how it may affect your work with us, please visit our
OSPHL Data Improvement Projects website.
Sign Up to Receive Program Updates
To more efficiently communicate with all clients, the Oregon Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program is collecting email addresses for the facilities and providers that submit specimens to our laboratory. This list is intended to share program information and updates, not laboratory results. To sign up, complete our
brief online form.
Previous Provider Communications
New Newborn Bloodspot Screening Cards Coming in 2025!
The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program plans to roll out an updated specimen collection card in early 2025. The updated card has been redesigned to be more user friendly and improve data collection.
Please review the following documents for more information about the new card design:
Updated Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism Screening Algorithm- Effective January 6, 2025