The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (ACHDNC)

The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (ACHDNC) is a committee of experts who have historically advised the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS; hereinafter the Secretary) on various aspects of newborn and childhood screening for heritable conditions – genetic disorders that can be passed from parent to child. Generally, newborn screening is conducted 24-48 hours after birth and involves a blood spot screening (or “heel stick”) followed by laboratory tests, pulse oximetry screening to assess heart conditions, and a hearing test.