WHAT IS NEWBORN SCREENING?

is a simple procedure to find out if your baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation and even death if left untreated.

Goal: to give all newborns a chance to live a normal life.

Currently, NBS tests for five disorders:

1. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency

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A condition where the body lacks the enzyme called G6PD. The deficiency may cause hemolytic anemia, when the body is exposed to oxidative substances found in certain drugs, foods and chemicals. Parents of G6PD-positive babies receive a list of these substances from their doctor. Congenital Hypothyroidism This is a lack of thyroid hormone, which your baby needs to grow. Treatment is required within the first four weeks of a baby's life to prevent stunted physical growth and mental retardation. One out of 3,369 babies is at risk. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia An endocrine disorder that causes severe salt loss, dehydration and abnormally high levels of male sex hormones. Left undetected and untreated, it can be fatal within seven to 14 days. One in 7,960 babies is at risk. Galactosemia A condition in which babies cannot process the sugar present in milk (galactose). This leads to increased galactose levels in the body, which leads to liver and brain damage. It also causes cataracts to develop. One in 82,250 babies may be affected. Phenylketonuria A condition where the body does not properly use the enzyme phenylalanine, which may lead to brain damage. One in 109,666 babies may be at risk.

How to administer NBS: Your baby will be pricked at the heel. Three drops of blood will be taken for testing.

(-) negative result- NORMAL (+) positive result- will require the baby to undergo further testing by a pediatrician. *Parents are oriented about their childs condition through the National Institutes of Health (at the Philippine General Hospital). Parents will be notified through mail and through their attending doctors about positive results, and will be required to undergo the orientation and further testing at the NIH. For Hearing impairment Babies are screened for hearing impairment with one of two tests that measure how the baby responds to sounds. These tests are done in the hospital newborn nursery, using either a tiny soft earphone or microphone that is placed in the babys ear. If either of these tests shows abnormal results, the baby needs more extensive hearing testing to see if he does have hearing loss.