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New Delhi, February 06, 2023:
Should neonatal screening be mandatory for a healthy start?
Neonatal screening, is the most essential public health prevention programme of the 21st century. It is adopted in the vast majority of developed nations. The majority of developing nations are following suit. In India, “it is still in its development phase and has yet to enter into implementation stage, as a national health program.”
In India, infant mortality is higher compared to other developed countries. Many newborns are being susceptible to various diseases that are not visible at the time of birth but affect babies later in their lives.
According to data provided by Indian Paediatrics, in India, the prevalence of inborn errors of metabolism is 1 in 2,497 newborns; the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism is 2.1 per 1,000; and G6PD deficiency is 2–7.8%.
To prevent this, from the moment the baby is born, they must undergo a series of tests, including newborn screening (NBS) that help ensure their overall development and keep their health in check.
So yes, Neonatal Screening Test is Need of the Hour in India for Healthy Child Growth & Development and should be made mandatory.
What do parents need to ask the hospital about the newborn screening program?
Here are five inquiries that parents should make at a hospital:
- When will a blood sample be taken?
- Are all samples transported to the lab through overnight delivery or courier within 24 hours of collection?
- Does the hospital maintain a record of each sample to guarantee prompt delivery and lab analysis? The tracking methods used by many hospitals and states are insufficient.
- How will I know if a condition is present in my child’s test results?
- Will samples be processed at the lab over the weekend?
Why are newborn screening tests important?
Early problem detection is the main objective of Newborn screening, since it enables prompt treatment of major health implications. This does not serve as a confirmatory test, thus more tests would be necessary, if prelim tests are positive. Because some metabolic problems and endocrinopathies are more common and can be fatal if discovered later, several developed countries advise NBS before discharge. Testing for hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria is commonplace in many countries. In India, NBS is not a mandatory test, and the health plans do not include NBS as a focus area. Instead, they are concerned with treating various illnesses, morbidities, and deaths, but not deformities and impairments. Although the initiatives may contribute to a reduction in infant mortality, they are countered by an increase in disability.
Is the newborn screening program helpful for parents?
The goal of newborn screening is to identify infants with major medical issues so that they can start receiving care as soon as possible. Most of the time, these infants appear normal and healthy at delivery. Typically, they don’t start to exhibit symptoms for several weeks or months. These infants are diagnosed by newborn screening before they exhibit any symptoms. Serious issues including disease, intellectual disability, or even death can frequently be avoided by initiating therapy as soon as possible.
Response by Ms Chandra Ganjoo, Group Chief Executive Officer, Trivitron Healthcare
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