Child and Adolescent Health manages two major programs: Newborn Screening and Infant Hearing.
The Newborn Screening (NBS) Program works to assure all newborns in the state are screened for 28 “core” metabolic conditions which, if not detected early, could lead to severe illness, disability, or death. Positive results from blood spot screening are tracked by specialized follow-up nurses. Assistance in interpretation and follow-up of abnormal results is provided through collaboration with subspecialists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
The Infant Hearing Program (IHP) strives for early identification of infants with hearing loss through screening, audiologic and medical evaluation along with enrollment in early intervention and family-to-family support services. The IHP collects and analyzes data on infants screened for hearing loss and ensures referral of at-risk infants to appropriate service providers.
Act 1128 of 2011
Arkansas Act 1128 of 2011 requires birthing facilities to ensure that all new mothers receive information on shaken baby syndrome. In response to this new law, the Arkansas Department of Health has developed a brochure for dissemination to all birthing facilities. The brochure is designed to provide pertinent and factual messages that focus on prevention of abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome). The ADH Child and Adolescent Health Section provides the brochures to each birthing hospital to give to new parents. If extras are needed, hospitals may download the brochure here and copy as many as they require. For questions about the brochure call: 501-280-4790.