State-Mandated Newborn Screening vs. Fore Genomics: What Parents Should Know

Every baby born in the U.S. receives a state-mandated newborn screening (NBS). This public health program is a critical first line of defense to catch certain serious but treatable conditions before they cause harm. But it’s just the beginning of what’s possible with modern genomics.

What State-Mandated Newborn Screening (NBS) Does

The Basics:

• Required by law in every state (with rare exceptions)

• Performed early: usually within 24–48 hours after birth

• Method: heel-prick blood test + hearing screen + pulse oximetry

• Scope: 30–60 conditions (varies by state) — focused on a few dozen life-threatening but treatable newborn disorders

What NBS Does Well:

• Saves lives. It catches certain critical disorders before symptoms appear.

• Universal coverage. Every newborn gets screened — no action required from parents.

• Reliable results. State labs are highly standardized and quality-controlled.

The Limits of NBS

State screening is excellent, but narrow:
• Limited scope: Screens for just 30–60 conditions out of thousands known to affect children.
• One-time snapshot: No ongoing updates as science advances.
• No medication insights: Offers no pharmacogenomic information about how a child might react to common medicines.
• Misses later-onset disorders: Conditions that appear in toddlerhood, childhood, or adolescence aren’t covered.

Put simply: NBS is a strong safety net — but it was never meant to give parents the full genetic picture.

How Fore Genomics Goes Further

Fore Genomics was built to fill those gaps and give families more power to plan ahead.

Where Fore Leads:
• Comprehensive panel: ~1,000 genes/conditions — far beyond the state’s 30–60
• Broader coverage: Includes childhood-onset diseases, carrier status, and medication response insights
• Any-age testing: Available beyond the newborn period — toddler, school-age, even adulthood
• At-home convenience: Simple cheek swab, no hospital visit required
• Annual reanalysis: Your child’s DNA is re-interpreted every year as science evolves — without retesting
• Actionable planning: Reports are designed to help families and physicians act early, not just react

Why Parents Choose Both

Think of state NBS as the minimum standard of care — vital, but limited. Fore Genomics builds on that foundation to provide:
• Peace of mind: You’re not relying only on what the state tests today
• Future-proofing: Your child’s genetics are reanalyzed as new discoveries are made
• Personalized guidance: Helps inform medical decisions and prevent future emergencies

For parents who want the most complete, proactive view of their child’s health, combining state NBS with Fore Genomics is the smartest approach.