Newborn screening for babies urged

Thursday, March 3, 2011

THE Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) has intensified its advocacy to educate Dabawenyos of the importance of the Newborn Screening (NBS) through its Newborn Screening Center.

In Wednesday's Club 888 media forum, Dr. Conchita Alabarquez of the Newborn Screening Center urged parents to avail of the screening in accordance to Republic Act (RA) 9288.

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She said mothers are hesitant to avail of the screening after giving birth because they are worried that it would cost much.

Alabarquez said prevention is better than cure.

Newborn screening only costs P600 at SPMC, other hospitals, lying-in clinics, and health centers.

"Our aim is to prevent mental retardation in the early stage of the child's growth. If the mother has Philippine Health Insurance Care (PHIC), then it will be deducted thereon," Abarquez said.

Since NBS is included in the Philippine Health Newborn Care Package, mothers can avail of the procedure right after the birth of their child.

NBS is a simple procedure to find out if a baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation or even death if left untreated.

Most babies with metabolic disorders look normal at birth. By doing NBS, metabolic disorders may be detected even before clinical signs and symptoms are present. Treatment can then be provided to prevent consequences of untreated conditions.

The procedure should be ideally done on the 24th to 72nd hours of life. A few drops of blood are taken from the baby's heel, blotted on a special absorbent filter card and is then is sent to the Newborn Screening Center for analysis.

Blood samples may be collected by medical practitioners such as physicians, nurses, medical technologists or a trained midwife.

There are five disorders that can be detected by NBS, these are: Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH); Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH); Galactosemia (GAL); Phenylketonuria (PKU) and G6PD Deficiency.

Among these disorders, G6PD is most prevalent in children and there are around 500 children in Region 11 positive for G6PD illness.

CH results from the lack or absence of thyroid hormones essential for the physical and mental development of a child. If not treated at an early stage or within two weeks, the baby may suffer from growth and mental retardation.

CAH is an endocrine disorder that causes severe salt loss, dehydration of high levels of male sex hormones in both boys and girls. If not treated, babies may die within 7-14 days.

GAL is a condition in which babies are unable to process galactose, the sugar present in milk. If not treated, accumulation of excessive galactose in the body can cause problems such as liver and brain damage and cataract.

PKU is a rare condition in which the body cannot properly use one of the building blocks of protein called phenylalanine that with excessive accumulation may lead to brain damage.

Lastly, G6PD the most prevalent illness recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) is a deficiency where the body lacks the enzyme G6PD. Babies with this deficiency may have hemolytic anemia resulting from exposure to oxidative substances found in drugs, foods and chemicals. (Carmelle Marie Harrow)