Normal BRIDGES-NBS result FACT sheet for families

This resource explains what a normal result from the BRIDGES-NBS study means. A normal result is also referred to as “negative” on the GeneDx genetic testing report.

Click on each section to learn more!

  • BRIDGES-NBS is a voluntary research study partnering with newborn screening programs to explore if and how genomic screening may be added to routine newborn screening through the U.S. public health system.

    Routine newborn screening (NBS) screens newborns for serious, treatable conditions. BRIDGES-NBS screens newborns for about 800 genetic conditions, including many that are not on the current routine NBS panel. BRIDGES-NBS only looks for genetic conditions that can affect babies in the first year of life and that have treatments or ways to monitor for early signs (like blood tests, imaging, or regular check-ups). Finding these conditions early could improve a baby’s health.

  • Most babies in the BRIDGES-NBS study receive a normal result. A normal result means your baby was not found to have a genetic risk for the conditions included in the BRIDGES-NBS study. BRIDGES-NBS checks for about 800 genetic conditions. We expect that about 95 out of every 100 babies screened will not show a genetic risk for these conditions. 

    Most babies who have one of these conditions would be expected to have an abnormal result.

    However, no test is perfect, and there is a small chance that a risk for a condition included in BRIDGES-NBS could be missed.

  • ●      A normal result does not mean a baby will never develop health condition(s).

    ●      BRIDGES-NBS only looks for certain genetic conditions. Many genetic conditions are not included in this study or cannot be detected with this technology. If a condition is not on the BRIDGES-NBS panel, this study will not find it. You can view the full list of conditions included in the BRIDGES-NBS study here.

    ●      Also, most health conditions that people develop later in life are not related to the conditions screened in BRIDGES-NBS.

  • No specific follow-up is recommended for babies who have a normal BRIDGES-NBS result. Babies should continue with routine healthcare based on their doctor’s advice.

    Your baby’s BRIDGES-NBS result is available through your state newborn screening laboratory, and will be made available to your baby’s healthcare provider.

  • If you have concerns about your baby’s health now or in the future, please contact your healthcare provider. They may recommend additional evaluations and testing based on your child’s symptoms. 

    GeneDx, the sequencing laboratory, will keep your baby’s genomic data up to 5 years after the study is completed. If needed, your doctor can request additional genetic testing or re-analysis using this data. This additional testing would be part of your baby’s clinical care (not part of the BRIDGES-NBS study), and would be billed to you or your insurance. You can contact GeneDx for more information (​​Support@GeneDx.com, 888-729-1206).

  • Visit www.bridgesnbs.org/grc for more information and resources from the BRIDGES-NBS team, including easy-to-understand explanations of words and terms used in this information sheet and throughout BRIDGES-NBS.