Newborn Screenings

Tests for the new-born baby (Newborn screenings) are very important. We screen the newborn to look for any aberrations that might hinder the natural growth of the baby. Generally this screening is done before the babies leave the hospital – that is, immediately after babies are born. New-born screening might throw up known symptoms or medical conditions, which could lead to severe health problems in childhood or later years. Early detection of these conditions and subsequent treatment can prevent fatal diseases as well as physical and mental disorders. This screening helps prevent death and diseases related to these disorders, and to greatly reduce them as well.

Since new-born screening is very important, awareness about this is equally important, and this article aims to do just that and is especially helpful for parents and caregivers.

What can newborn screenings tell us?

Newborn screenings are a preventive methodology, which screens the baby immediately after birth. These screenings can diagnose more than 44 unusual disorders. If complications like metabolic disorders at birth, disability and brain damage etc. are present, this would be a good opportunity to diagnose early on and provide appropriate treatment. Lack of proper treatment may even lead to death in some babies, and hence new-born screenings become all the more important.

These screenings are done even before the symptoms can appear, and this gives us an opportunity to diagnose conditions and treat them before they develop into complications. It must be noted that these screenings are not done with the intention of confirming or eliminating any specific medical condition, and therefore this is not a diagnostic test. These screenings allow us to identify babies with the said condition, and perform follow-up tests and diagnosis, and determine the presence of the medical condition.

Metabolic disorders

Metabolic disorders since birth are known as Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM). These refer to the disorders due to the unusual concentration of natural chemicals produced by the body. This disorder manifests in many ways, from brain damage to slow physical growth of the body. In rare cases, this disorder may even cause death. The unfortunate things is that, although it may be present in many babies, it does not manifest at birth. Newborn screenings offer an opportunity to identify these conditions at birth itself, thereby allowing the baby to lead a normal and healthy life.

In most cases, babies with disorders at birth may appear completely normal and healthy. Through new-born screenings, doctors can identify conditions much before the babies manifest the condition and the parents start worrying about it. Generally, if the problem is identified early on and appropriate treatment given, it is possible to have a healthy life.

What is the possibility that a disorder may be present?

In developed nations, the death rate among newborns is 5-10 in 1000. In India, the death rate of newborns is 10 times higher than in developed nations. So in India, chances of death are higher for newborns within 1-2 years of birth. Health experts acknowledge that about 10-20 percentage of these deaths can be prevented with screenings.

How are screenings done?

 Only a few drops of blood are required for testing. This is obtained by lightly piercing the baby’s heel and collecting on a special filter paper. The paper is sent to the laboratory after it dries up, where several newborn screening tests are done. These tests are carried out using a technology known as Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Heel piercing does no harm to the baby, and each collection device has a special needle known as Lancet. A new lancet is used for each baby, so do not worry, there is no danger of infection!

Dr. Pushkala, MBBS., M.D. (Peadiatrics), PGDID
Consultant Paediatrician, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

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