Newborn screening

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Newborn Screening Act of 2004."
What is newborn screening? Newborn screening (NBS) 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.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people, including the rights of children to survival and full and healthy development as normal individuals.

SEC. 3. Objectives Why is it important to have newborn

screening? Most babies with metabolic disorders look normal at birth. One will never know that the baby has the disorder until the onset of signs and symptoms and more often ill effects are already irreversible. Access to newborn screening Sustainable newborn screening system within the public health delivery system; Ensure all health practitioners are aware of the advantages of newborn screening Ensure that parents recognize their responsibility in promoting their child's right to health and full development

SEC. 5. Obligation to Inform.

- Any health practitioner who delivers, or assists in the delivery, of a newborn in the Philippines shall, prior to delivery, inform the parents or legal guardian of the newborn of the availability, nature and benefits of newborn screening. Appropriate notification and education regarding this obligation shall be the responsibility of the Department of Health (DOH).

SEC. 7. Refusal to be Tested.

The sick should be treated by a special form of prayer, rather than by medicine - Christian science Church

SEC. 6. Performance of Newborn Screening.

When is newborn screening done? Newborn screening shall be performed after twenty-four (24) hours of life but not later than three (3) days from complete delivery of the newborn Newborn in intensive care must be tested by seven (7) days of age How is newborn screening done? Newborn screening is a simple procedure. Using the heel prick method, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby's heel and blotted on a special absorbent filter card. The blood is dried for 4 hours and sent to the Newborn Screening Laboratory (NBS Lab). Who will collect the sample for newborn screening? Newborn screening can be done by a physician, a nurse, a midwife or medical technologist.

DOH and NIH

SEC. 8. Continuing Education, Re-education and Training Health Personnel. - The DOH with the assistance of the NIH SEC. 9. Licensing and Accreditation. - The DOH and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) SEC. 10. Lead Agency. - The DOH shall be the lead agency in implementing this Act SEC. 11. Advisory Committee on Newborn Screening. created and made an integral part of the Office of the Secretary of the DOH

 SEC. 12. Establishment and Accreditation of Newborn Screening Centers. The DOH shall ensure that Newborn Screening Centers are strategically located in order to be accessible to the relevant public. Newborn screening is available in participating health institutions (hospitals, lyingins, Rural Health Units and Health Centers).

SEC. 13. Establishment of a Newborn Screening Reference Center. - The NIH shall establish a Newborn Screening Reference Center SEC. 14. Quality Assurance. - The NIH Newborn Screening Reference Center shall be responsible for drafting and ensuring good laboratory practice standards for newborn screening centers SEC. 15. Database. - All Newborn Screening Centers shall coordinate with the NIH Newborn Screening Reference Center for consolidation of patient databases

SEC. 16. Newborn Screening Fees.

How much is the fee for newborn screening? P550. The DOH Advisory Committee on Newborn Screening has approved a maximum allowable fee of P50 for the collection of the sample. Bataan General Hospital- compliant of President Aquinos agenda on providing financial risk protection to all indigent patients Here, whether the patients have money or not, we assure that the newborn babies are screened for defects. Thats why we have 101 percent accomplishment because even if the babies are born outside the hospital, we screen them,BGH chief Dr. Glory Baltazar Newborn Care Package-PhilHealth Amount of coverage - Php 1,000 Newborn screening tests - Php 500.

 What should be done when a baby is tested a positive NBS result? Babies with positive results should be referred at once to the nearest hospital or specialist for confirmatory testing and further management. Should there be no specialist in the area, the NBS secretariat office will assist its attending physician.

What are the genetic diseases included in the NBS panel?

Currently, there are five disorders being screened in the Philippines

CH (Congenital Hypothyroidism)
Lack of thyroid hormone Baby may suffer from growth and mental retardation.

CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia)

An endocrine disorder that causes severe salt loss, dehydration and abnormally high levels of male sex hormones in both boys and girls. If not detected and treated early, babies with CAH may die within 7-14 days.

GAL (Galactosemia)
A condition in which babies are unable to process galactose, Accumulation of excessive galactose in the body can cause problems including liver damage, brain damage and cataracts.

PKU (Phenylketonuria)
Rare condition in which the baby cannot properly use phenylalanine. Excessive accumulation of phenylalanine in the blood causes brain damage.

G6PD Deficiency
The body lacks the enzyme G6PD (Glucose-6Phosphate Dehydrogenase). Babies with this deficiency may have hemolytic anemia resulting from exposure to oxidative substances found in drugs, food and chemicals.

Thank you

References:
Pink brochure. Newborn Screening Reference Center - National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. (e-mail: nbsadmin@gmail.com) Jomento C. 2010. Maple Syrup Urine Disease Kit Evaluation. Newborn Screening (Official Publication of the Newborn Screening Reference Center NIH-UP Manila). 14(1):8. 2009 Statistics on National Coverage and Performance and Incidence Rates of NBS Genetic Disorders. Newborn Screening (Official Publication of the Newborn Screening Reference Center NIH-UP Manila). 14(1):3. http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1951373982998

Religious Traditions and Prenatal Genetic Counseling Rebecca Rae Anderson College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical CenterAm J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2009 February 15; 151C(1): 5261. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.30203.