Ashley and Ellis Ford were signing hospital discharge papers and were looking forward to going home with their new bundle of joy, Evin. In a matter of seconds everything was halted. Confused and bewildered, the Fords were told they could not leave the hospital. Through newborn screening tests, an abnormality was noticed in Evin's results. Evin was diagnosed with Isovaleric Acidemia or IVA, a genetic condition that can lead to a coma within days of being born.

Scientist Tracy Klug performed the newborn screening test on Evin and noticed abnormal results. In an instant, the hospital was notified and steps were put in place for treatment.

Tracy and other newborn screening staff for the first time met Evin during an eight-state Heartland Newborn Screening Workshop hosted by the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL).

"Seeing Evin for the first time and seeing that he is healthy makes our jobs rewarding," said Patrick Hopkins, laboratory manager (B-1), for Missouri's Newborn Screening.

The Workshop was designed to promote collaboration, sharing of ideas and best practices, contingency planning for newborn screening backup testing in the event of a disaster, and newborn screening expansion across the Heartland States Region.

"Evin is a direct result that shows us how important newborn screening is, and that if an event or disaster should occur, the screenings must go on as usual because they can literally mean life or death," said Patrick.  He adds that if the State Public Health Laboratory were unable to perform newborn screenings, systems are in place that would allow neighboring states such as Iowa to perform the newborn screenings and vice versa if an event would occur in Iowa or other neighboring states.