What is newborn screening?
Newborn screening is the process of performing a number of tests on newborns to check certain health conditions. In the United States, many states have compulsory newborn screening that hospitals have to offer parents. There are twenty -nine metabolic and genetic disorders that March of Dimes recommends for birth. However, not all states are testing all twenty -nine disorders. Individual states have their own policies and laws on what tests the hospitals must offer within their newborn program.
Although parents have the right to reject mandatory screening of newborns for religious reasons, almost all doctors and advocates of children recommend that newborns be examined. Several diseases that are proven are metabolic or genetic disorders. If the diseases are detected early, many problems associated with them can be prevented. Early detection can also allow treatment from the beginning to be saving life.
most tESTS are performed during the first twenty -four hours after birth. The screening of the newborn involves taking blood sample, usually from the child's heel and sending it to a specific laboratory that performs newborn testing and analysis. The time required to obtain results may vary, but most of the results are back within a few days to a week. If the results return positive to a specific failure, further accurate testing is usually required to confirm the diagnosis.
Although testing varies according to the condition, all fifty states test for phenylketonuria (PKU). Essential amino acids are not used correctly in children with this metabolic disorder. This can lead to abnormal development, including neurological problems and mental retardation. Children with this disorder must be on a special diet from the beginning to prevent the development of complications.
One of the other conditions of the scrave of all fifty states is congenital hyperthyroidism. MeltThe disorder can cause mental retardation because the child's thyroid does not work effectively. If the screening is performed at birth, hormones can be removed that allow the thyroid gland to function normally. This can allow the child to have normal development.
other genetic and metabolic conditions that are tested in some countries include cystic fibrosis and sickle anemia. Many countries also provide hearing test for newborns. Parents who want to find out what is done in their state can view the database on the website of the national screening of newborns and genetic resources.