Newborn Screening

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. Approved by the BabyCenter Philippines Medical Advisory Board

Last reviewed: July 2011[Show references] Galactosemia

A condition in which babies cannot process the sugar present in milk (galactose). This What is my baby being screened for? Is it really necessary to screen my baby? How is Newborn Screening administered? Is NBS compulsory? also causes cataracts to develop. One in 82,250 babies may be affected. leads to increased galactose levels in the body, which leads to liver and brain damage. It

Phenylketonuria Ideally, your baby undergoes Newborn Screening (NBS) within three days of his birth. A condition where the body does not properly use the enzyme phenylalanine, which may NBS will be able to tell if your baby was born with any metabolic disorders that will affect lead to brain damage. One in 109,666 babies may be at risk. his body's normal processes and functions.

Is it really necessary to screen my baby? What is my baby being screened for?

It is crucial that these disorders are detected as early as possible. An affected baby Currently, NBS tests for five disorders: looks healthy at birth because symptoms do not begin to show until weeks or months

later. Once the signs and symptoms set in, the ill effects are often already permanent. If Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency these conditions are left untreated, they may cause health complications or inhibit A condition where the body lacks the enzyme called G6PD. The deficiency may cause mental development. In the most serious cases, they can cause death. 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 The Philippine Newborn Screening Project says that 33,000 children out of the two substances from their doctor. million Filipino babies born yearly are at risk from these disorders.

While this is the mildest disorder that is covered in NBS, it is the most common: One out Fortunately, children diagnosed with any of these disorders can continue to live normal of 55 babies may be affected. Read more in our article on G6PD deficiency. and healthy lives as long as they are treated in time and they consistently follow up with

a specialist. Congenital Hypothyroidism

This is a lack of thyroid hormone, which your baby needs to grow. Treatment is required

How is Newborn Screening administered?

Your baby will be pricked at the heel. Three drops of blood will be taken for testing.

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.

A negative screen means that results are normal. A positive screen will require the baby Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

to undergo further testing by a pediatrician. Parents are oriented about their childs

An endocrine disorder that causes severe salt loss, dehydration and abnormally high

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

the 48th hour of life for testing (on out - patient basis).

results, and will be required to undergo the orientation and further testing at the NIH.

Sometimes, parents decline for various reasons, such as religious concerns. In these

Is NBS compulsory?
cases, they are asked to acknowledge in writing that they understand the benefits of The Department of Health and other health organizations strongly recommend that all NBS and that they know they may be placing their newborn at risk for undiagnosed babies undergo Newborn Screening. Most tertiary centers are accredited Newborn congenital conditions by declining the test. This dissent form is included in the baby's Screening testing centers. If a baby is delivered at home or in a primary health care medical record and is recorded in the National Newborn Screening Database. setting or lying in, the baby can be brought to the nursery of any accredited center after