International Neonatal Screening Day: Ensuring a healthy start for newborn babies
Today (28 June), we commemorate International Neonatal Screening Day; a day dedicated to recognising the crucial significance of newborn screening in safeguarding the health and well-being of infants worldwide.
The NHS has been at the forefront of this life-changing practice for over half a century, demonstrating its remarkable ability to identify and treat serious conditions before they cause irreversible harm.
Philippa Goddard, Consultant Biochemist and Director of Newborn Screening at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC), said: “The Neonatal screening services that we offer at BWC are so important to every baby in the West Midlands, providing early diagnosis for health conditions that are not necessarily noticeable from birth and can be treated, decreasing morbidity and mortality.
“Families are positively impacted in having their baby screened with these quick and simple tests, as many of the conditions screened for, if left undetected and untreated, will have serious consequences.”
At BWC, the Newborn Screening Laboratory stands as one of the leading facilities in the UK, delivering timely diagnoses for an ever-increasing number of disorders. This state-of-the-art lab plays a vital role in the screening process for various conditions, including Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Congenital Hypothyroidism (CHT), Phenylketonuria (PKU), Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD), Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), Isovaleric Acidaemia (IVA), Glutaric Aciduria type 1 (GA1), and Homocystinuria (HCU).
Since September 2021, our laboratory has been conducting an evaluation study on Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency disorder (SCID) in collaboration with five other screening centres across England.
This date holds a special meaning as it coincides with the birthday of the pioneering scientist, Dr. Robert Guthrie, who revolutionised the field of newborn screening in the 1960s by introducing dried blood spot testing for rare diseases. His ground-breaking work paved the way for early detection and intervention, ultimately saving countless lives.
Newborn screening is a vital preventive measure that ensures newborns have the best possible start in life. By detecting potential health conditions early on, medical professionals can intervene swiftly, providing appropriate treatments and interventions to mitigate the impact of these conditions. This proactive approach helps prevent long-term complications, developmental delays, and even death.
Beyond the immediate health benefits for individual infants, newborn screening also offers long-term advantages. By identifying and treating conditions early, it can reduce the burden on healthcare systems, decrease healthcare costs, and improve overall population health. Early intervention not only saves lives but also promotes healthier outcomes, enabling affected children to lead fulfilling lives.
However, access to newborn screening is not universal across all countries. Disparities exist, with many infants lacking access to these life-saving services. Therefore, International Neonatal Screening Day also serves as a platform to advocate for the expansion of newborn screening programs worldwide.
As we celebrate International Neonatal Screening Day, let us recognise the immense impact of newborn screening in promoting the health and well-being of our youngest and most vulnerable population. We’d like to take a moment to say thank you to all of our fantastic colleagues working behind the scenes to support newborns across our hospital for their tremendous dedication and contributions.