Newborn screening (NBS) was introduced in the Philippines in 1996. After 12 years of implementation, a review of performance of the NBS facilities shows that there is a wide range of NBS performance from zero to 100%. This paper aims to review the NBS facilities (NSFs) that have at least 90% NBS coverage and to identify the successful strategies that have pushed the high coverage.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening

Legal issues arise if some persons or institutions feel wrongfully treated whether or not this feeling is justified. In neonatal screening, the following topics may be causing legal issues: no screening programme where such a programme should be (UN Convention for the right of the child); neonate(s) not screened for conditions within the established programme; no consent when it should have been given; error(s) in sampling, analysis, reporting; no follow-up available, error(s) in confirmatory diagnostics and treatment; irregular storage of dried blood spot specimen. Legal issues can be solved easily when responsibilities of parties concerned have been established and documented. Unfortunately, legal systems vary from country to country and what has become "normal" practice in one jurisdiction may still be battled about in another. The management of a neonatal screening programme should try to define as best as possible the performance criteria and to have the programme assessed and accredited to certain internationally accepted standards. It diminishes the chances for errors and it helps to avoid legal issues.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; legislation & jurisprudence

No abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors* ; Neonatal Screening*

Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening

Human ; Infant Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Policy ; Research

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the obstetric and pediatric residents are aware of newborn hearing screening; To determine whether the obstetric and pediatric residents are knowledgeable regarding newborn hearing screening; To compare the results as a function of the type of training institution (private or government). STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional study SETTING: Randomly selected tertiary hospitals in the National Capital Region METHODOLOGY: A structured questionnaire pertaining to the awareness and basic knowledge of newborn hearing screening was distributed to tertiary hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Republic of the Philippines. All obstetric and pediatric residents of each of the tertiary hospitals were the respondents of this study. Frequencies were determined from the respondent's responses to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 175 questionnaires distributed, there were 134 respondents (86 pediatrics and 48 obgyne) Eighty (93 percent) pediatric residents were aware of newborn hearing screening but only 43 (50 percent) of pediatric residents were knowledgeable of the hearing test. Thirty five (73 percent) of obstetric residents were aware of newborn hearing screening and only 5 (10 percent) were knowledgeable about the hearing test. Majority of those who were knowledgeable are from private institutions (79.2 percent) as compared to respondents from government institution (20.8 percent). CONCLUSION: A majority of obstetric and pediatric residents were aware of the newborn hearing screening but only a third of respondents had basic knowledge of the hearing test. Of those who were knowledgeable, most were training in private institutions where the machine was available. It is essential for the physician to be both aware and knowledgeable about newborn hearing screening to counsel and educate parents about the importance of early identification of and intervention for congenital or newborn hearing problems. A program to provide more knowledge regarding newborn hearing screening among pediatric and obstetric residents should be therefore developed. (Author)
CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDIES NEONATAL SCREENING AWARENESS KNOWLEDGE

Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening

The trial of external quality assessment for inborn error of metabolism was performed in 2003. A total 10 specimens for neonatal screening tests were distributed to 43 laboratories with a response rate of 83%. All the control materials were sent as a filter paper form. Each laboratory replied the test result as the screening items they were doing as a rountine test at the reception of the specimen among PKU screening, neonatal TSH, neonatal T4(total/free), galactosemia screen, homocytinuria screen and histidinemia screen. The mean, SD, and CV were analyzed.
Galactosemias ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Metabolism* ; Neonatal Screening

The lack of a national policy on newborn screening (NBS) in the United States has resulted in 51 state-specific NBS policies (including 50 states and the District of Columbia). In 2000, a working group of the American Academy of Pediatrics provided a national NBS blueprint for the future. Using this guidance, the Health Resources and Services Administration contracted with the American College of Medical Genetics to: (i) develop a decision-making algorithm for states to use in selecting conditions for screening panels, and (ii) recommend a panel of tests to guide states in their screening requirements. This report outlines and summarises the processes and outcomes leading to the current NBS recommendations in the United States.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; standards ; United States