ScreenPlus: A broader newborn screening program for early detection of multiple rare disorders
Official title: NY ScreenPlus: A Comprehensive, Flexible, Multi-disorder Newborn Screening Program
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11403977 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a broader newborn screening panel for consented babies to detect additional rare, treatable conditions early and follow outcomes over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2012 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $708,973 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD073292-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403977 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants and their families who consent to participate and are newborns within the program’s catchment area.
✕Less likely to help
Families not enrolled or those whose newborns are not eligible or do not consent may not experience direct benefits from this program.
What this research studies
Newborn screening has saved many lives, and ScreenPlus aims to expand what can be detected in newborns by testing for a wider set of rare disorders. The program includes a multi-tiered approach with a flexible panel, long-term follow-up, and analysis of how early detection affects outcomes and treatment timing. Parents are actively engaged through education, consent, and surveys to share their perspectives on expanding screening. The study also collects data to understand feasibility, accuracy, and the impact of early detection on children and families over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment for more infants with rare conditions, potentially improving health and development.
How similar studies have gone: Pilot newborn screening efforts have shown feasibility and value in expanding panels, with ongoing evaluation guiding implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wasserstein, Melissa Pittel — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wasserstein, Melissa Pittel
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.