Newborn Screening: Ensuring Health from the First Moments of Life
Newborn screening is a critical public health program designed to detect certain serious and often life-threatening conditions in infants shortly after birth. These screenings are preventive measures that enable early identification of disorders that may not be immediately apparent, allowing timely interventions to improve health outcomes and quality of life. The primary goal of newborn screening is to identify conditions before symptoms develop, which can significantly reduce the risk of complications, disability, or even death.
The process of newborn screening typically begins within the first 24 to 48 hours of life. A small blood sample is collected from the baby’s heel, commonly referred to as a “heel-prick test.” This blood spot is then analyzed for a range of metabolic, genetic, hormonal, and infectious conditions. Common disorders screened include phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and severe combined…