Newborn screening tests newborns for various diseases, including genetic, metabolic, endocrinological, and hematologic disorders. The screening process may be mandatory, depending on the country, and aims to identify potential health problems early to start appropriate treatment. The US started mandatory newborn screening in the 1960s, and more tests have been added over the years. While many countries have national regulations for newborn screening, state-level health organizations may oversee the process. Newborn screening is becoming more common globally, with some countries having voluntary or mandatory screening programs.
Also known as newborn screening, newborn screening is the collective process of testing newborns for various types of diseases. The scope of screening covers a wide range of conditions, including hematologic, metabolic, endocrinological, and genetic disorders. Over the years, the types of screening tests used in this form of newborn care have expanded significantly, with some variation in how health care systems in different countries approach this form of newborn care.
Depending on the requirements in place within a given country, the newborn screening process may be mandatory. This means that testing is conducted as a matter of routine. The idea behind screening is to identify any potential health problems that could have a significant impact on the health of the newborn and allow you to start administering appropriate treatment immediately. This helps avoid a possible delay in diagnosing a serious health condition while increasing the chances of being able to successfully treat the disease before it has a chance to progress.
The first mandatory newborn screening in the United States started in the 1960s. Known as the Guthrie test, this test was designed to detect the presence of phenylketonuria in children. Over the years, more tests have been added to the list, including tests for the presence of sickle cell disease, hypothyroidism, and hyperplasia. Testing the newborn’s vision, hearing acuity, and general range of motion are also part of basic newborn screening in the United States.
While many countries have national regulations that lay the groundwork for newborn screening, it is not unusual for state-level health organizations to oversee the screening process at health care facilities in their jurisdictions. Local laws also sometimes dictate the exact procedures for collecting samples and sending them to approved laboratories for evaluation. This helps ensure that the quality of the tests is consistent and that the results of the different tests can be trusted.
Not all countries engage in newborn screening, but interest in starting this type of newborn care has continued to grow since the turn of the 21st century. Some countries currently have voluntary screening programmes, while others are moving towards mandatory screening for specific health problems at some point during the first six months of a child’s life. As medical research continues to develop new and more effective methods to detect all kinds of diseases in their early stages, newborn screening is very likely to become more common around the world.
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