Minnesota to begin destroying newborn blood samples in compliance with court ruling

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ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Health Department says it will begin destroying newborn blood samples to comply with a recent court ruling.

A group of parents filed a lawsuit saying state law barred the department from keeping their babies' blood samples as part of the state's Newborn Screening Program. The Minnesota Supreme Court sided with the parents last November.

The program collects blood from all infants within 24 to 48 hours of their birth. The blood is sent to the Health Department, which checks for 53 genetic or congenital disorders.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports the department says the ruling will make it harder for officials to ensure quality and accuracy of the newborn screening program. But the department will comply with an order saying samples should be destroyed after 71 days.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.