The Illinois Department of Public Health is marking 60 years of newborn screening this September.
What began in 1965 with a single test for PKU now covers more than 50 conditions, including genetic, metabolic, and heart disorders, as well as hearing loss. More than 100,000 Illinois newborns are screened each year, with about 500 babies annually diagnosed and treated before symptoms appear. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra says early detection prevents serious health outcomes and helps children reach their full potential.
In 2024, nearly 123,000 newborns were screened, with just over 0.2 percent requiring medical intervention.
