September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month and the National Metabolomics Platform (NMP) hosted at the NWU Centre for Human Metabolomics is advocating for a broader awareness about this crucial preventative health measure for infants.
Newborn screening is a simple yet powerful test designed to identify specific genetic, endocrine, and metabolic disorders in newborns that may not show immediate symptoms but could lead to serious health issues if left untreated.
ALL 22 of the conditions tested for is treatable, potentially saving lives and preventing long-term health complications.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ccRkbvWu5Y4?si=er86MM-VFcLrWDby
The NMP urges all medical aids and long-term insurance providers to include newborn screening as a standard of care for all clients.
The NMP extends its gratitude to paediatricians who already prioritise newborn screening as part of routine tests. Their dedication is truly life-changing for children. For those who only offer the test occasionally, or have not yet integrated it into their care, we encourage you to make newborn screening a regular part of your care for newborns.
Key points about newborn screening in South Africa:
- The test covers 22 disorders, selected based on treatability and prevalence.
- It involves a simple blood draw from the baby’s heel, ideally performed between 24 and 72 hours after birth.
- Results are typically available within 7 working days.
- The NMP, with its team of scientists specialising in inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), have been offering diagnostic services since the 1970s to both public and private health sectors.
For more information about newborn screening, please visit https://nationalmetabolomicsplatform.co.za/newborn-screening/
