Neonatal screening program for five conditions in Honduras

We present the initial results of a neonatal screening program in part of the public health system in Honduras, that is, the Honduran Social Security Institute. The program design includes steps from neonatal bloodspot in the first newborn days to evaluation and treatment when necessary. In 2018 and 2019, 19,911 newborns were tested for hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, galactosemia, phenylketonuria, and adrenal hyperplasia. Abnormalities were identified in 18 newborns, corresponding to a prevalence of 9:10,000. Considering all births in Honduras, the estimated coverage of screening ranged between 4.4 and 5.7%. These results reinforce the need to expand and consolidate neonatal screening.