NCDHHS expands Newborn Screening Program

88.5 WFDD - Public Radio For The Piedmont | By Rachel Moody

Published September 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM EDT

A public health scientist in the Newborn Screening Lab.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is expanding its Newborn Screening Program.

The State Laboratory for Public Health will now test for Infantile Krabbe Disease and Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency.

That’s on top of the more than 60 other conditions they test North Carolina newborns for.

According to state officials, screening identifies more than 250 babies with disorders each year.

Experts say identifying and treating serious health problems early can help improve outcomes.

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Health & Safety NCDHHS

Rachel Moody

Rachel Moody is from Wake Forest where she got her start in journalism as an intern for The Wake Weekly. Before joining WFDD, she was a reporter and producer for UNC-Chapel Hill’s student radio program Carolina Connection. Rachel’s work has been published by WFAE, WUNC, WRAL and more. In 2026, she was recognized by the Hearst Journalism Awards Program for her podcast about body dysmorphia in boys and men. During her college career, she also wrote for The Daily Tar Heel’s opinion desk as an editorial board member and columnist.

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NCDHHS expands Newborn Screening Program

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

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