NEWBORN SCREENING

Objectives
After the session the learners will be able to: State what is newborn screening; Explain the importance of newborn screening; List the disorders included in the newborn screening package; Recall the responsibilities of a nurse in conducting newborn screening.

PRE TEST: TRUE or FALSE

1. RA 9288 is known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004. 2. Newborn Screening is Ideally done on the 24th to 48th hour of life. 3. Using the blood extraction method, blood are taken from the babys cephalic vein. 4. After the sample is collected the parents of the newborn must be informed that results will be available after seven working days. 5. A positive screen means that the newborn must be referred at once to a specialist for confirmatory testing and further management.

What is newborn screening?

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

What is the mandate for performing Newborn Screening on every baby?

RA 9288 known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 with its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Why is it important to have newborn screening?

Prevent irreversible consequences of congenital metabolic disorders.

When is newborn screening done?

Ideally done on the 48th to 72nd hour of life (first 2 to 3 days of life).

How is newborn screening done?

Using the heel prick method, a few drops of blood are taken from the babys heel. Blood is blotted on a special absorbent filter card Sample is dried for 4 hours and sent to the Newborn Screening Center

Who may collect the sample for newborn screening?

Medical Technologist

Midwife

Who may collect the sample for newborn screening?

Nurse

Physician

Where is newborn screening available?

Newborn Screening Facilities: hospitals, lying-in centers, RHUs, and health centers.

When are newborn screening results available?

Seven (7) working days from the time the newborn screening samples are received. All positive screens shall be immediately released, within twenty-four (24) hours.

What are the five (5) disorders currently included in the newborn screening package?
Screened NOT SCREENED SCREENED & TREATED
Normal Alive and Normal

Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Galactosemia (GAL) Phenylketonuria (PKU) G6PD Deficiency

Severe Mental Retardation Death

Death or Cataracts Severe Mental Retardation Severe Anemia, Kernicterus

Alive and Normal Normal Normal

What are the roles of the health care team?

POST TEST
1. What Republic Act mandates Newborn Screening? A. B. C. D. R.A. 9882 R.A. 9288 R.A. 9828 R.A. 9888

POST TEST
2. A nurse should always remember that NB screening is ideally done on the ________ hour of life. A. B. C. D. 24th to 48th hour of life 12th to 60th hour of life 48th to 72nd hour of life 32nd to 70th hour of life

POST TEST
3. What is the method of sample collection in Newborn Screening? A. B. C. D. venoclysis heel prick arterial prick venous access

POST TEST
4. Before the NB screening the parents of the neonate is asking what disorders can be screened through NB screening? A nurse must mention all except one of the following:

A. B. C. D.

G6PD Deficiency Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Galactosemia Congenital Hypothyroidism

POST TEST
5. G6PD deficiency can cause which of the following diseases if it is not screened. A. B. C. D. mild anemia severe mental retardation kernicterus cataracts

Happy Learning! Happy Nursing!