NewBorn Screening: Choose the best care for your little one
How is Newborn Screening performed?
When a baby is between 2-8 days old, a few drops of blood are collected from the baby’s heel. Blood collection on a filter paper by a heel prick is the standard procedure of screening newborns. This blood spot card is then sent to the laboratory for further processing.
The results of this Screening Test are Shared with your Pediatrician.
What disorders are Newborns Screened for?
Our Newborn Screening panel helps screen for seven most prevalent metabolic and genetic disorders. Early identification of these disorders can allow your doctor to start specialized medical treatment that may improve the long term health of your baby.
Newborn Screening Panel – A panel of 7 disorders
Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH): Defect in thyroid hormone production resulting in severe mental retardation and abnormal growth. Treatment typically involves daily dose of thyroid hormone (thyroxine).
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): Defect in steroid hormone production, possibly resulting in serious illness or early death from loss of body minerals. Treatment typically involves hormone replacement.
Glucose – 6 – Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency: Defect in ability to protect red blood cells. Results in anemia or jaundice. Treatment typically involves avoidance of certain common medications and foods.
Galactosemia: Defect in processing of simple sugar (Galactose), results in liver damage, brain damage and can turn fatal. Treatment typically involves immediate exclusion of dietary galactose.
Cystic Fibrosis: Disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract, resulting in poor growth and frequent infections. Treatment typically involves pancreatic enzymes and antibiotics.
Biotinidase Deficiency: Defect in activation of the vitamin biotin, resulting in possible mental retardation or early death. Treatment typically involves vitamin supplementation.
Phenylketonuria: Defect in metabolism of amino acid phenylalanine, possibly results in developmental delays, brain damage and severe mental retardation. Treatment typically involves phenylalanine restricted food with proper dietary control.