Skip to main content

Newborn Screening- Resources for Primary Care Providers

The information below is intended for pediatricians, family physicians, primary care providers and other physicians who work with the Michigan Newborn Screening (NBS) Program.  NBS is a critical public health program required by law that screens all babies at 24-36 hours of age for rare but serious disorders. Providers hold an important role in receiving and communicating NBS results to Michigan families. Below you will find information on requesting, receiving and communicating results from the NBS program, along with additional educational materials that may be of assistance.

Announcements: 

The NBS program will be transitioned the 2nd-tier testing process for cystic fibrosis from a 60-mutation panel analysis to a 139-mutation panel analysis. This change went live in March of 2025. This document includes the list of CFTR mutations that will be included on this revised panel

How to Access NBS Results: 

NBS results are available on the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) website approximately two weeks after a baby is born. The NBS results are not posted if the baby has been released for adoption or placed in foster care.
 
If results are not available on MCIR, results can be obtained by faxing a request on letterhead from the primary care provider office to 517-335-9419 or 517-335-9739. The request should include: 
  • Baby 's name and date of birth. 
  • Mother's name at time of delivery. 
  • Primary care provider fax number. 

If you are not the provider recorded on the NBS card or listed as the medical home in MCIR, the NBS Report Request Form must be completed, signed by the medical provider, and faxed to number listed above. The NBS Program does not give results over the telephone. 

QR Code for Provider List Serv Sign Up

Abnormal Results: 

NBS results are reported to the primary care provider listed on the NBS card. It is important to ensure that you have received results for all newborns in your practice, as the recorded provider may be incorrect. The listed provider office will be faxed a notification for abnormal results. Read the “action required” on the report carefully for next steps. 

You may need to: 

  • Write an order for a repeat NBS screen. 
  • Order additional lab work, if directed. 
  • Assess and monitor infant for relevant symptoms. 
  • Consult with a specialist from the follow-up coordinating center listed on the fax to arrange for confirmatory testing. To learn more information about Michigan's follow-up coordinating centers, including contact information, please click here

The Newborn Screening Highlights for Primary Care Providers- Infographic contains additional NBS information for providers navigating abnormal newborn screening results. .

 

Primary care providers play an important role in communicating both normal and abnormal NBS results with families. The resources below provide information and tips on result communication. 

The resources below are important for families, especially those navigating an abnormal NBS result.