(July 11, 2007)--Early detection of rare but devastating genetic disorders is the first step to keeping babies alive and well and a report says nearly 90 percent of newborns are being checked for such disorders.

Since 2004, specialists have been urging tests for a "core list" of 29 conditions in the hopes that the few thousand who will need early treatment to prevent death and retardation will be detected.

The March of Dimes says 40 states are requiring testing for more than 20 of the top disorders.

Thirteen states plus Washington, D.C. require testing every newborn for the entire list of 29 conditions.

A single drop of blood can determine hearing loss, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis and other genetic diseases.

So far, the federal government hasn't issued national screening guidelines.

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