by: GELAINE LOUISE D. GUTIERREZ
Did you know that newborn screening can detect your baby’s serious health conditions as early as possible?
Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin, along with appropriate care to ensure the normal growth and development of your baby.
Newborn screening is done after birth by collecting a few drops of the baby’s blood and performing biochemical testing for heritable, but treatable conditions.
Newborn Screening Development
It was first introduced in the Philippines in February 1996. A Newborn Screening Study Group was created in April of the same year.
In September 1997, the Newborn Laboratory at the National Institute of Health in UP, Manila began its operation.
It was in April 2004 when Republic Act 9288 known as Newborn Screening Act of 2004 was enacted. The Implementing Rules and Regulations was released in October 2004.
The newborn screening program in the Philippines began with the screening of 6 disorders: congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), phenylketonuria (PKU), glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, galactosemia (GAL), and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).
The newborn screening program in the Philippines began with the screening of 6 disorders: congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), phenylketonuria (PKU), glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, galactosemia (GAL), and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).
In December 2014, the NBS was expanded to include 22 more disorders such as hemoglobinopathies and additional metabolic disorders, namely, organic acid, fatty acid oxidation, and amino acid disorders (Suerte, n.d.).
To mark its importance, the Philippines celebrates the National Newborn Screening Week every first week of October by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 540 issued on January 20, 2004.
The proclamation was immediately followed by the enactment of the Republic Act 9288 known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 ensuring the screening of all newborn babies. (PIA-NCR)
References:
NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM. (n.d.). Https://Doh.Gov.Ph/. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://doh.gov.ph/newborn-screening
Padilla C. D. (2003). Newborn screening in the Philippines. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health, 34 Suppl 3, 87–88.
Screening Facts | Baby’s First Test | Newborn Screening | Baby Health. (n.d.). Babysfirsttest.Org. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/screening-101
Suerte, M. J. R. (n.d.). DOH approves expanded newborn screening program. PCHRD Website. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/14-r-d-updates/3137-doh-approves-expanded-newborn-screening-program
NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM. (n.d.). Https://Doh.Gov.Ph/. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://doh.gov.ph/newborn-screening
Padilla C. D. (2003). Newborn screening in the Philippines. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health, 34 Suppl 3, 87–88.
Screening Facts | Baby’s First Test | Newborn Screening | Baby Health. (n.d.). Babysfirsttest.Org. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/screening-101
Suerte, M. J. R. (n.d.). DOH approves expanded newborn screening program. PCHRD Website. Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/14-r-d-updates/3137-doh-approves-expanded-newborn-screening-program
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