As the Presidential Proclamation No. 540, s. 2004: Declaring the first week of October of each year as National Newborn Screening Awareness Week the National Nutrition Council Region XII joins in raising awareness of newborn screening to draw broader public attention to the crucial role of early detection of inherited diseases in preventing permanent damage to the affected child.
Newborn screening (NBS) is an essential public health strategy that enables the early detection and management of several congenital disorders, which if left untreated, may lead to mental retardation and/or death. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment, along with appropriate long-term care help ensure normal growth and development of the affected individual. It has been an integral part of routine newborn care in most developed countries for five decades, either as a health directive or mandated by law. In the Philippines, it is a service available since 1996.
Screening is done within 48 hours or at least 24 hours from birth but not later than 3 days after complete delivery. A newborn placed in intensive care may be exempted from the 3-day requirement but must be tested by 7 days of age. A few drops of blood are drawn from pricking the baby’s heel which will determine possible conditions such as Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Phenylketonuria, Galactosemia, Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, Maple syrup urine disease. The said procedure may be done by a physician, nurse, midwife, or medical technologist. If a screening test suggests a problem, the baby’s doctor will follow up with further testing. If those tests confirm a problem, the doctor may refer the baby to a specialist for treatment. Following doctor’s treatment plan can save the baby from lifelong health-related and developmental problems.
The first touch of our newborn is one of the most precious moments of our life. So as their first screening test is. Take care of all the essentials from the first moment itself. Make sure to take all the important measures to ensure your baby gets a healthy start to life. Don't forget to ask your health care worker about newborn screening and get your baby screened shortly after birth.(KLM/AMF)
Reference:
https://doh.gov.ph/newborn-screening
