Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Improving child health--newborn screening for all?

Bridget Wilcken1

  • 1The Children's Hospital at Westmead and University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. bridgetw@chw.edu.au

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|November 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Newborn screening has saved thousands of children by enabling early diagnosis of disorders. Expanding newborn screening globally is a long-term goal, prioritizing congenital hypothyroidism screening where resources are limited.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Genetics
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Newborn screening has demonstrated significant success over 40 years, preventing intellectual disability and other health issues through early diagnosis.
  • Current newborn screening programs identify numerous disorders, with more diagnostic tests on the horizon for early detection.

Discussion:

  • Extending newborn screening to all children is a long-term objective, but resource-limited regions should prioritize basic healthcare needs.
  • In areas without existing programs, initiating screening solely for congenital hypothyroidism is recommended to establish robust systems.

Key Insights:

  • Early diagnosis via newborn screening is a highly effective preventive healthcare strategy.
  • Successful implementation requires careful planning and a phased approach, starting with critical conditions like congenital hypothyroidism.

Outlook:

  • The future of newborn screening is promising, with potential for broader application and improved diagnostic capabilities.
  • Cautious and strategic implementation of new newborn screening programs will maximize benefits and ensure sustainability.

More Related Videos

One-step Metabolomics: Carbohydrates, Organic and Amino Acids Quantified in a Single Procedure09:28

One-step Metabolomics: Carbohydrates, Organic and Amino Acids Quantified in a Single Procedure

Published on: June 25, 2010

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates10:02

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates

Published on: February 2, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention01:26

Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention

Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
Genetic Screens02:46

Genetic Screens

Genetic screens are tools used to identify genes and mutations responsible for phenotypes of interest. Genetic screens help identify individuals or a group of people at risk of developing  genetic diseases and help them with early intervention, targeted therapy, and reproductive options.
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which result in visible changes...
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System01:26

Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System

At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...