Newborn Screening Policy and Practice Issues for Nurses

Abstract

Advanced biomedical and genetic technologies are transforming newborn screening (NBS) programs. Nurses who work with families across perinatal care settings require knowledge of the policies that guide NBS practices and the controversies posed by the rapid application of genetic research to NBS. We provide an overview of NBS, outline challenges generated by expansion of NBS programs, and discuss implications for the nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives in clinical practice, education, and research.