Early identification and timely management of certain genetic, metabolic, or infectious conditions of infants that may lead to mental retardation, developmental and physiological delays, and/or even death is important. Early detection, diagnosis, and intervention can prevent death or disability and enable children to reach their full potential.
The newborn screening process has three parts. These include a blood test, hearing test, and pulse oximetry test. Babies are routinely screened, using a few drops of blood from the newborn’s heel, for certain genetic, endocrine, and metabolic disorders. The health professional will prick the baby’s heel to collect a blood sample and this is often read by the time the newborn is around five to seven days old. The two different tests used to determine if there are hearing issues on the newborn are the Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) Test and the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test. The Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) Test is used to assess the auditory brain stem and the brain’s response to sound while the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test helps diagnose if certain parts of the infant’s ear respond to sound. Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) among infants can be determined with the use of a pulse oximetry test. Pulse Oximetry Test is a non-invasive test that measures how much oxygen is in an infant’s blood. Low blood oxygen levels may indicate heart issues among babies. Babies are tested before discharge from a hospital or birthing center.
Newborn screening program in the Philippines previously includes the screening of six disorders namely congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), phenylketonuria (PKU), glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, galactosemia (GAL), and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). In the expanded newborn screening program, six disorders were expanded to 28 by including 22 more disorders such as hemoglobinopathies and additional metabolic disorders, namely, organic acid, fatty acid oxidation, and amino acid disorders. Newborn babies may not exhibit any symptoms of severe health conditions at infancy. Therefore, parents must have their babies undergo newborn screening for an early diagnosis and management that may prevent the occurrence of life-threatening problems.
ZDN DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND
References:
1. Newborn Screening Portal
https://www.cdc.gov/newbornscreening/index.html
2. NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM
https://doh.gov.ph/newborn-screening#:~:text=DESCRIPTION%3A%20Newborn%20screening%20(NBS),mental%20retardation%20and%2For%20death.
3. DOH approves expanded newborn screening program
https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/r-d-updates/3137-doh-approves-expanded-newborn-screening-program
4. Newborn Screening: How Can It Benefit Your Baby?
https://www.makatimed.net.ph/news-and-exhibits/news/newborn-screening-how-can-it-benefit-your-baby#:~:text=Newborn%20screening%20refers%20to%20a,not%20show%20signs%20at%20birth.
