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Comprehensive newborn screening program: ARAMCO experience, the national need and recommendations
Y K Abu-Osba1, A Mallouh, M Salamah
1Departments of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, and Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, Dhahran Health Center, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Annals of Saudi Medicine
|May 1, 1992
Summary
A newborn screening program for congenital diseases was established, successfully screening over 70,000 infants. This initiative provides valuable data and demonstrates the feasibility of a national newborn screening program in Saudi Arabia.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Comprehensive national or regional newborn screening programs for congenital diseases are currently lacking.
- The ARAMCO Dhahran Health Center established a tailored newborn screening program to address this gap.
- The program was designed considering available resources and specific regional needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the organization and procedures of a comprehensive newborn screening program.
- To report on the implementation and outcomes of a newborn screening program established in 1980.
- To assess the feasibility and necessity of a national newborn screening program in Saudi Arabia.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a multi-disease screening protocol for newborns.
- Screening included congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, abnormal hemoglobins, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and blood group incompatibilities.
- Program modifications were made based on operational challenges encountered.
Main Results:
- Over 70,000 newborn infants have been screened since the program's inception in 1980.
- Valuable epidemiological data relevant to congenital diseases in the region were collected.
- Essential clinical information for direct patient care was obtained.
Conclusions:
- The ARAMCO newborn screening program has successfully operated for decades, collecting significant data.
- The experience highlights the achievability and urgent need for a national screening program in Saudi Arabia.
- Recommendations for establishing a national program are provided based on ARAMCO's operational experience.
