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Universal Screening for Prevention of Reading, Writing, and Math Disabilities in Spanish
Published on: July 18, 2020
Universal newborn screening: A roadmap for action
C P Howson1, B Cedergren2, R Giugliani3
1Howson & Partners for Global Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA.
Insights
Newborn screening (NBS) identifies serious congenital disorders in newborns, enabling early treatment to prevent severe illness and death. Expanding NBS programs globally saves lives and prevents disabilities in infants worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital disorders affect approximately 8 million newborns annually worldwide.
- Newborn screening (NBS) is crucial for early detection and management of treatable infant disorders.
- Effective NBS programs prevent significant morbidity and mortality.
Observation:
- Three of the top five congenital disorders contributing to the global burden are identifiable and manageable through NBS.
- NBS programs are emerging in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
- These initiatives involve diverse partnerships, including government, NGOs, academia, and the private sector.
Findings:
- Novel NBS programs are being developed through collaborative efforts in various global regions.
- These programs are successfully saving infant lives and preventing long-term disabilities.
- The expansion of NBS demonstrates a growing commitment to infant health globally.
Implications:
- Widespread implementation of NBS can substantially reduce the global burden of congenital disorders.
- Strengthening international partnerships is key to advancing NBS accessibility and effectiveness.
- Early diagnosis and treatment through NBS significantly improve long-term health outcomes for affected children.
Abstract:
Newborn screening (NBS) prevents morbidity and mortality by screening babies for selected disorders in the first days of life so that early diagnosis and treatment can be initiated. Congenital disorders impact an estimated 8 million or 6% of annual births worldwide, and of the top five that contribute 25% to the global burden of these disorders, three can be identified and managed by NBS. There are determined pockets of activity in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asia Pacific region, where partnerships among government, non-governmental organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society are developing novel NBS programs that are both saving lives and preventing disability in those who survive.
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