daup h i n c m s .o rg also vary from state to state. There are a set of national standards (issued in 2010) that each state must follow, but the national standards require states to test for only 26 disorders. But some states have gone above and beyond, and are screening newborns for close to 50 genetic disorders, while others screen for 30. Screening for Critical Congenital Health Defect (CCHD) by Pulse Oximetry - Babies born with congenital heart defects are at significant risk for death or disability if their condition is not diagnosed soon after birth. Seven defects are classified as CCHD and can be detected using pulse oximetry screening, which is a test to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood and pulse rate. In 2014, PA state passed an Act that requires that all birthing facilities perform CCHD screening using pulse oximetry on a newborn child in its care before discharge from a birthing facility. Babies with a CCHD should be seen by cardiologists and can receive specialized care and treatment that could prevent death or disability early in life. Hearing Screening - Hearing screening is a short test to determine if newborns might have hearing loss. Hearing screening is easy and not painful. There are two ways to screen a baby's hearing. The first test measures a tiny sound from the ear that indicates that the baby is hearing properly. This test is called an Otoacoustic Emissions test. The second test measures the baby's nerve response to sound. This is called an Auditory Brainstem Response. All babies should be screened for hearing loss no later than one month of age. It is best if they are screened before leaving the hospital. The Newborn Screening Program's goal is to eliminate or reduce mortality, morbidity and disabilities by screening and treatment of the disorders included in the Pennsylvania Newborn Screening Panel so as to help affected babies live as long and normal of a life as possible. Central PA Medicine Fall 2017 29http://www.dauphincms.org