Newborn Screening Services in Bahrain between 1985 and 2010

Area of Science:

• Medical Genetics
• Public Health
• Neonatal Screening

Background:

• Genetic blood diseases, particularly hemoglobinopathies, have historically posed a significant public health challenge in Bahrain.
• A national prevention campaign initiated in 1984 by the Ministry of Health (MOH) has led to a gradual decline in incidence.
• The establishment of a national newborn screening (NBS) program for hemoglobinopathies in May 2007 marked a significant advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the national newborn screening program for hemoglobinopathies in Bahrain.
• To assess the impact of the program on the incidence of affected newborns.
• To highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management of genetic blood diseases.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a national NBS program for hemoglobinopathies, financed by the national budget.
• Involvement of multiple hospital departments: Genetics, Nursing, Pathology, and Pediatrics.
• Collection of cord blood samples from all newborns at birth for laboratory analysis.

Main Results:

• Over 3.5 years, 38,940 newborns were screened.
• The incidence of affected newborns decreased from 0.7% in 2008 to 0.4% in 2010.
• A 75% reduction in affected newborns was observed over the last 20 years, demonstrating program success.

Conclusions:

• Newborn screening (NBS) is crucial for the early detection and management of affected newborns.
• The NBS program in Bahrain has significantly reduced the incidence of hemoglobinopathies.
• Early diagnosis facilitates timely treatment and can help prevent future disease recurrence within families.