When it comes to babies, there are a lot of things that parents have to worry about. One of the most important is making sure that their child is healthy. In most developed countries as soon as kids are born they are screened for certain conditions, part of making sure that your child is healthy. This screening test is called ‘Newborn Screening’ that looks for the baby’s developmental, genetic, and metabolic disorders.
But sadly, Newborn screening is not so famous in India, as it is not a mandatory program, unlike developed nations.
Why Newborn Screening is important?
The first month of life is the most valuable for a baby. But Indian statistics related to newborn mortality and morbidity are shocking. With the high mortality rate, the rate of birth defect burden is also huge approx 7% -accredited to the lack of an efficient NBS program.
Early detection of birth defects could efficiently reverse the severity before the symptoms manifest. When conditions are caught early, they are often much easier to treat. In some cases, the condition can even be cured.
How to screen a child through NBS?
If you are expecting a baby, or if you have already had a baby, you may be wondering if newborn screening is right for you. According to CDC the newborn screening is one of the greatest public health achievements in 2020. WHO recommends all nations should introduce a mandatory NBS screening program to reduce infant mortality and morbidity. In India, gynecologists and pediatricians suggest would-be parents to undergo disorders screening for their babies. Parents can also opt for screening programs for the benefit of their children.
What disorders are covered under Newborn Screening?
For overall mental and physical development, this efficient program will screen for a baby’s developmental, genetic, and metabolic disorders like- sickle cell anemia, congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, and many more. Phenylketonuria is one such rare inherited disorder, which was also the first disorder to be detected in NBS. Hence, the program is also called ‘PKU screening’. Let us take the same example to understand how PKU is tested through NBS.
Phenylalanine Hydroxylase (PAH) gene helps to create the enzyme needed to break down phenylalanine. Mutation in the Phenylalanine Hydroxylase (PAH) gene leads to excess phenylalanine buildup causing Phenylketonuria. A child with PKU won’t develop any symptoms in the first few months but later can lead to many defects such as microcephaly, intellectual disability, eczema, and hyperactivity. Babies in the United States and many other countries are screened for PKU soon after birth. Although there is no cure for PKU, recognizing PKU and starting treatment right away can help prevent limitations in areas of thinking, understanding, and communicating (intellectual disability) and major health problems. Early detection and intervention of PKU and other disorders can possibly lessen the severity of the disease. Doctors screen children for different Inborn metabolic errors like PKU and provide disease management for the baby increasing the survival chances. Yoda has come up with the most extensive NBS program in India covering 129+62 disorders.
What are the criteria for sample collection
- Ideal time for sample collection is 48 hr after birth
- Baby should have received at least 2 feeds from mothers
- Prematurity, intravenous injections, supplement usage, and transfusion history should be discussed before collecting the samples
- EDTA sample will give spurious results
- Blood sample should be collected on DBS cards and urine sample should be the first void urine.
Why Yoda is the best destination for Newborn screening
Yoda has come up with a similar but more extensive NBS program called “Sishu Samraksha panel”. Supported by a strong technical expert team with more than 2 decades of experience and 17+ NBS exclusive international publications. We provide a comprehensive approach to screening and confirming the disorders at the most affordable prices. Our extensive panel covers 129(urine)+62(DBS) disorders of amino acid disorders, organic acidurias, fatty acid oxidation defects, urea cycle disorders, endocrine disorders, mucopolysaccharidoses disorders, galactosemia, biotinidase, and G6PD deficiency in newborns.
Yoda Sishu Sumraksha is designed by our leading experts having 2 decades of experience in experimenting, developing, and performing NBS
Top 10 salient features of Yoda Sishu Samraksha panel
- Indian population-specific reference ranges based on huge data sets
- No matrix interference due to Derivatized kits
- Less false positivity rate due to calibrated cut-offs from the reflex testing
- Screening and confirmation in one go
- Analysis and interpretation by pioneers of Newborn screening
- 100+ publications with 17 dedicated to metabolic disorders
- Hi-end instrumentation technology
- Best-in-class turnaround time
- Exceptional quality due to EQAS with CDC Atlanta and ERNDIM Netherland
- Affordable price
In conclusion, Newborn screening is a ray of hope for India. With this simple and cost-effective test, we can save many innocent lives every year. Yoda Sishu Samraksha introduces the fastest way to identify and treat rare genetic conditions before the symptoms get manifested in babies. It is important to spread awareness about newborn screening so that more babies can be saved.
#Give your baby the first gift of life
