Newborn Screening, or NBS as it is commonly called, is the process of screening newborn babies for metabolic disorders, genetic diseases, blood diseases etc. It has been around since 1960 in the Unites States but it is still a new concept in India. It involves checking for a large number of diseases at the time of birth so that some sort of preventive measures can be applied.
Though it is not possible all to cure all such diseases yet, early detection is useful at curtailing a wide range of diseases. Let's see how Newborn Screening can benefit your baby.
What is Newborn Screening?
Newborn Screening refers to tests carried out on a newborn baby's blood to detect Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs). These tests cover a wide variety of diseases and help in preventing future issues. Early detection may, in some cases, even suppress a disorder entirely. For example, congenital hypothyroidism, which is a very common disorder in India, can be prevented by neonatal screening.
Newborn screening is also effective at tackling diseases like Maple Syrup Urine disease, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, Phenylketonuria, Galactosemia, mental retardation, etc.
How is Newborn Screening done?
Screening of newborns is most effective during the neonatal period, which is why the blood sample is taken shortly after birth. Newborn screening is carried out by taking a few drops of blood from the baby's heel 24 to 48 hours after birth. This blood is then tested using advanced methods (like tandem mass spectrometry or MS/MS) and disorders, if any, are identified.
Normally, if there are irregularities in the initial screening test, the blood is sent for further tests. Full reports are then submitted either to the baby's pediatrician or the parents. Based on the reports, the baby can be treated and the family counseled.
Why is Newborn Screening Important?
Early knowledge about a condition can help you in keeping the child safe or suppressing the symptoms. Some conditions, unless detected on time, can be fatal for the baby. Timely detection of certain disorders can also prevent mental retardation or a lifelong impairment. Also, if the condition detected is not immediately dangerous, parents can take measures to ensure that the condition is not aggravated in the future, by say, antibiotics or any allergen.
Mental retardation and physical disability can also be avoided, in many cases, by newborn screening. While it is rare to actually have a metabolic disorder, testing on time can save parents a lot of trouble in case the disease surfaces at a later point of time.
Also, healthy parents can also be carriers of genetic disorders. A quick screening process can ensure that the disorder will not suddenly surface and affect the baby's health. It is also possible that a seemingly-healthy baby could have a disease. Newborn screening ensures that such suppressed diseases are detected.
Newborn Screening in India
Many countries across the world have made newborn screening mandatory. Most Indian hospitals, though equipped with adequate technology, are yet to offer this option to their customers. This situation is slowly changing as awareness of newborn screening increases in India. A few pathology labs offer customers newborn screening packages, where they have to send the blood sample to the lab directly after taking the blood sample from the baby.
Newborn screening may be an expensive proposition today but this scenario can change if the government makes efforts to make it mandatory. As most countries in the US, EU and some parts of Asia have already made it compulsory, the costs have also dropped in those countries. If a similar program is adopted in India, many lives can be saved.
Even though screening a baby for disorders is personal choice, it is better to screen a newborn than to risk expensive treatment at a later point of time. It saves both baby and parents a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Have you screened your newborn for any disorders? Do you think newborn screening is necessary? Do you think it should be made mandatory? To share your tips, views, and experiences, click here.
