What is newborn screening?
What are the disorders tested for
newborn screening?
The disorders tested for newborn
screening are:
(1) Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH)
(2) Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
(CAH)
(3) Galactosemia (GAL)
(4) Phenylketonuria (PKU)
(5) Glucose-6-Phosphate-
Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G6PD
Def.)
(6) Maple Syrup Urine Disease
(MSUD)
Newborn Screening (NBS) is a simple
procedure to find out if your baby has a
congenital metabolic disorder that may
lead to mental retardation or even death if
left untreated.
Why is it important to have newborn NEWBORN
screening?
Most babies with metabolic disorders SCREENING
look "normal" at birth. By doing NBS,
metabolic disorders may be detected even
before clinical signs and symptoms are
present. And as a result of this, treatment
can be given early to prevent
consequences of untreated conditions.
When is newborn screening done?
Newborn screening is ideally done
immediately after 24 hours from birth.
 When are newborn screening results available?
Results can be claimed from the health facility where
NBS was availed. Normal NBS Results are available
by 7 - 14 working days from the time samples are
received at the NSC.

Positive NBS results are relayed to the

parents immediately by the health
facility. Please ensure that the address
and phone number you will provide to
the health facility are correct.

A NEGATIVE SCREEN MEANS

THAT THE NBS RESULT IS
NORMAL.

A positive screen means that the

newborn must be brought back to
his/her health practitioner for further
testing.

What should be done when a baby is

tested a positive NBS result?
Babies with positive results must be
referred at once to a specialist for
confirmatory testing and further management. Should there be no specialist in the area, the NBS secretariat office will
assist its attending physician