At a glance
CDC operates the only laboratory in the world that provides quality assurance materials for dried blood spot testing, helping improve the accuracy of newborn screening nationwide.
Overview
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports millions of babies and their families every year by training public health scientists across the United States in newborn screening methods.
Newborn screening helps laboratory scientists spot serious conditions so that babies can receive treatment as early as possible.
The accuracy of screening tests could mean the difference between life and death for many babies. In other instances, identifying newborns with a disorder means that they can be treated and avoid lifelong disability or severe brain damage.
CDC trains states in newborn screening
In 2026, CDC's newborn screening experts are hosting several different workshops for 36 state, territorial, and regional public health laboratories to help them stay up to date on the latest approaches and technologies.
One new CDC workshop focuses on hemoglobinopathies, or hereditary blood diseases. These include sickle cell anemia, which affects red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body and can cause severe pain, frequent infection, and slow children's growth." People in the state laboratories have requested this training for many years," says Rachel Lee, PhD, Deputy Chief of CDC's Newborn Screening and Molecular Biology Branch. "They are committed to building their skill and experience to correctly interpret newborn screening tests."
CDC will hold several additional trainings this year. Two workshops will train state laboratory scientists in newborn screening via tandem mass spectrometry, an analytical method to measure chemicals. Two more will focus on advances using molecular technologies for newborn screening. All workshops feature lectures and hands-on lab work.
Over the years, participants from state labs across the United States have praised the value of their experience at CDC's newborn screening workshops.
As one attendee said, "It was incredibly valuable to gain practical insights and exchange ideas with colleagues from across the country. Bringing this level of expertise and knowledge to state public health labs strengthens our collective ability to serve."
Another attendee agreed, "The knowledge shared was highly relevant and directly applicable to the challenges and opportunities we face in public health molecular labs."
The lab professionals not only expand their knowledge and network, but they also may receive Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education credit for a CDC workshop.
Every state in the United States screens newborns for many serious but treatable congenital diseases. These include spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, endocrine diseases, multiple inborn errors of metabolism, lysosomal diseases, and severe combined immunodeficiencies. Early, accurate testing can help babies get off on the right foot in life and receive appropriate and timely treatment.
"We help save babies!"
CDC's Newborn Screening and Molecular Biology Branch has the only laboratory in the world that provides quality materials for dried blood spots to ensure accurate newborn screening tests. The lab improves the accuracy of newborn screening test results for certain genetic, metabolic, and endocrine diseases in every state and across the globe.
"It's a very rewarding profession that requires skill and experience," says Rachel Lee, who came to CDC after retiring as director of the Texas Newborn Screening Laboratory. "Now I'm not just focusing on one state. I can help the entire nation."
"Knowing the impact I can make, I just love it," she adds. "We help save babies!"