Newborn Screening

Drug Rehabilitation

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:32:00 +0000

When we see our loved ones having problems getting over and we can see that we think needs our support, our help and we feel that we need to take some drastic action especially when our loved ones is into Drugs. Therefore, it is deemed important that he/she has to undergo Drug Rehabilitation wherein on the process of getting over it takes a while but we can say that it will all be worth it.

When one undergoes Drug treatment the person will either get better, and some won’t. We have to understand their situation as it is not that easy on their part. Also, we have to understand that some drug abusers tend to get more sober that is why some drug treatments won’t work with them.

Choosing the right Drug Treatment Center is important, you have to find one that suits your needs. Since that the process of recovery of drug abuse patients can really make a different in their own lives as well as helpful in their family, choosing a drug treatment center has to provide with good support, assistance and good service. Preparing oneself is also important on this process, may not be easy but will be worth your while.

Printing services are important to highlight advertising your company's products promotion in hospitals

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:49:00 +0000

Printing services is important, one that provides you a quick, professional look, affordable and easy. Those who have been in a lot of years in that business that provides good quality usually is one of the best. Like the one that does a wholesale printing, puts your business easier like Brochure printing, business owners, hospitals, entrepreneurs, any kinds of business face more challenges everyday especially when it comes to marketing their companies. That is why there are this printing services that renders good quality service to match your company’s needs. At this they can help you have a competitive environment to provide impactful printed pieces that combines powerful resources of the internet and the technology does provides a great visual impact to consumers.

As for Cheap Brochure printing that usually comes in a variety of sizes. It is valued when it comes to marketing your collateral. The use of the 20-micron high definition screening for all products including brochure printing is impressive. Every firm needs it, and will be designed according to what suits a firms needs. And usually they provide tips to help you make the most of your brochure. Rest assured, quality is good, high performance, and indeed can be of great help when you need more effort to marketing strategies. Promoting your products, to the hospitals, or those who would like to promote their products like gauze in the hospital, this is a lot of help.

Drug addiction and Alcohol Rehabilitation treatment

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:39:00 +0000

Drug rehabilitation is deemed important especially when we see one of the member of our family that needs that help. It takes time for this ongoing process to help one self, to heal and get treated. One of the finest California drug rehab we can see that range from San Diego to San Francisco, can be found on of the drug rehab we can find wherein it treats a wide variety of addictions from heroin, crystal meth, cocaine and marijuana addiction or perhaps addiction to prescription medications. It is essential that we have to help ourselves first, undergoing counseling can help us a lot too that can lead to such remarkable breakthroughs that is why the provision of this California treatment programs are significant in ones self.

Alcohol rehab can be effective surely depending on the services that a center renders, it has to have good services, with good support and good counseling support too, aside from that also from our families, we do need it. When a center gives you good service, they let you or your loved ones determine the pace for your pace for alcohol rehabilitation. We must also have to be aware of the substance abuse policy, at being aware of this, we already now our limitations, and the laws that we have to abide to.

Newborn screening tests disorders

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:56:00 +0000

That is why we should know the significance why our newborn has to undergo newborn screening. Newborn screening tests for disorders that can cause mental retardation, severe illness, and premature death if not detected at birth. Like for an example, hypothyroidism is one of the most common disorder that has been identified by routine screening that usually affects 1 baby in a number of 3,000.

When we say about Congenital hypothyroidism, it is a thyroid hormone deficiency that retards the growth and brain development; but if it is detected earlier, the baby can be treated with oral doses of thyroid hormone to permit normal development.

Importance of undergoing through a Rehabilitation Center/treatment center

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:09:00 +0000

To undergo drug rehabilitation is important for those who people who are drug addicts and who are drugs abused. Of course, rest assured that when a person who is into drugs will have to undergo the Drug Rehab Program and one from which is located in Cliffside Malibu where they guarantee their clients into drug recovery, of course people get better and addicts get healed. When one is into drugs, we cannot deny the fact that it causes problems in the family, it ruins the lives of several families or worse it kills.

Not only drugs but those people who are addicted to alcohol is a big problem too. So how do you know that your family needs to go to the Alcohol Rehab Center? It means when the habit has been going on and on and on and later on, without you being aware of it, it also kills. It will be either by accident or you will suffer of liver failure. Of course, the earlier to go to the rehab the better so that it can help you and your family.

In finding the drug treatment center, of course you would like to choose one of the best, and with good reputation wherein they give good quality services to those who would like to undergo these treatments. So when you get to find one, you have to be clear in understanding the definition of drug addiction and drug abuse. So when you undergo the treatment, you have a clear understanding of the treatment you’re going through.

Mitral Valve Surgery

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:51:00 +0000

Heart is very important in our body, the functions of the heart is vital and one of them is the Mitral Valve which lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It is shaped like a miter, where its normal function opens to pressure from the superior surface of the valve, that allows the blood to flow into the left ventricle during left atria contraction and closes at the end of atrial contraction to prevent the blood from back flowing into the atria during the left ventricle systole.

When the occurrence of abnormalities of the mitral valve occurs, it needs Mitral valve surgery, at Maryland Heart Center, they specialize in the surgical treatment of valvular disease. As for mitral valve repair is used to treat the leakage or the narrowing of the mitral valve. What sugeons does is to treat the mitral valve disease by the process of removing the diseased valve and implanting an artivicial valve which is known as the mitral valve replacement.

Since mitral valve repair is a cardiac surgery procedure that is performed by cardiac surgeons. The procedure of the mitral valve that’s being repaired includes inserting a cloth-covered ring around the valve to bring the leaflets into contact with each other. Occasionally mitral valve is abnormal from birth which is known as Congenital, or it becomes abnormal with age which is known as degenerative or a result. So in this instances, it is important to take good care of our heart because it run an important function in our life.

Health is Wealth with Health-pedia

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:04:00 +0000

As a person, we do want to take good care of our body, not only our physical appearance but also inside as well. Taking good care of our skin, like when we have acne, rosacea, age spots that appears already. In health-pedia.com they are the one that can take good care of you. They have all-natural products and with a lot of good research that is indeed guaranteed of safe, effective products.

In terms of women’s health products like their Native Remedies Femalite which helps as a mood stabilizer for women’s premenstrual period. This is to support hormonal harmony throughout the menstrual cycle and not only that but it also helps to ease minor cramps and aches when felt during this period. Aside from that, they also have something for hair loss, menopausal, pregnancy child birth, or ones who would like to have a baby, vitamins, yeast control and more.

As this are guaranteed products, we of course would like to help ourselves. We would like to build up our confidence so that is why we would like to look good, and preventing acne is just one way to look good and also anti-aging products for prevention of wrinkles. Or we would like to lose weight just like their Alli weight loss pill which is perfectly safe when being used as directed because this one works on the digestive system and not in your heart nor your brain. Or you might want to suppress your appetite and be able to lose weight with the product called Caralluma Burn. It contains a revolutionary new ingredient that is why that it suppresses the appetite of a person wherein this are one of the women’s health and beauty products by health-pedia. They have a lot of weight loss products that is guaranteed, works out really good and shapes you as a person in the development of having a good person inside and out. Another one is weight loss supplement which is called Hydroxycut that helps you lose weight really fast, and if you want faster results? This one is good and recommended.

In all of this, we could say that it truly depends on the product that you would like to try for those recommended products that suits your preference best. Find out what you really like and works best for you. Since taking good care of ones self is important to prolong health, enjoy life with ones family and build self-confidence as well.

Safety measures for your home with this high technology safety gadgets

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Have you ever been concerned about your family’s safety before and now? Especially with your parents or your grandparents who are left at home and no one else is in the house except only themselves. You just wouldn’t know, they might fall down from the stairs, or get lost somewhere else because your parent or your grandparents has Alzheimer’s disease. Protection for them is vital, that is why provision of one is rendered important.

Medical Alarm is significant to ones family safety, either by Mobile GPS Powered Bracelet that keeps to track you wherever you are, it has a built-in speakerphone and in case of emergency, this GPS bracelet can get to locate you wherever you are so they can help you and find you wherever you are and can get you the help that you need.

The other one is the Tele-Assist from Brickhouse Alert which acts as a complete protection for your own home in protection for everybody including yourself. This one has its own benefits because it is a fall alert, monitors you 24/7. Also like for example, grandma is not breathing or is not moving, but there is no one else at home. With this company you get to have your own free brochure, they have a good reputation when it comes to provision of high-tech safety measures and solutions not only for us but also for the federal and state law enforcement agencies. This is a very helpful lot, a very safety device that can help a person and its entire family. Very useful with regards to protection, safety, emergency, in case of intruders, and a lot more.

Drug Addiction Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:50:00 +0000

While it is very important to take good care of our body, it is also deemed important to avoid taking too much of anything especially when it comes to Alcohol and Drugs. But then on certain instances where a person has already been addicted to drugs and another one is in substance abuse. One must have to become aware that treatment as early as possible is advised and it is good to undergo a Drug Rehab Program. A person must have to set standards, must be determined and be willing to undergo this treatment for its very own benefit.

Going through the Addiction Treatment is a better way for a patient for detoxification of the drugs inside his body. Of course it must be hard to be treated, it does not go overnight. One has to be patient, persistent and it requires hardwork and determination to be treated when a patient is in drug addiction. It is indeed a struggle for a person towards undergoing the process of treating itself, a lot of effects and never is it known as an easy thing especially when on has been advised to go to a Drug Treatment Center, it is a decision for a person if he/she wants to be treated and would like to have a better future ahead of him.

Expanded Newborn Screening Program in Arkansas Program to begin – What about it?

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:04:00 +0000

It was last July 1, 2008 that the expanded newborn baby program in Arkansas has begun. Before there was only 7 conditions that hospitals used to screen from hearing loss to sickle cell anemia. But some additional testing like some physicians has said will help even more. This series of tests includes cystic fibrosis and other metabolism and blood disorders.

Of course since this has just been recently added, it is a good idea too for our country to be taking a look at this and perhaps sometime in the future we can add this one too for the benefit of newborn babies to avoid metabolic disorders in the future for the sake of our children.

In their hospitals they have to screen 29 rare disorders which there are some cases that are known to be deadly. Like one of their doctors has said, who is Dr. Richard Aclin that if they tend to pick it up early, then they can do something about it and elevate some of the initial symptoms and prohibit the advancement of a certain disease. In this way, early detection of a certain disease that their child has will be able for the family to take an action sooner and save money when it comes to choosing treatment options.

Newborn Screening

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Newborn Screening which is also known as the “PKU Test” which is performed in the first 48 hours after birth to look for serious and often life-threatening disorders.

Standard newborn screening consists of a small sample of blood being taken from your baby before being discharged from the hospital since that a lot of babies are discharged from the hospital earlier. The heel is the common place to take the sample which is often called a “heel stick”, but the blood may be also drawn from the inside of the elbow. Blood which is taken in around 48 hours after birth. Some babies are tested within the first 24 hours and then must be retested 1 to 2 weeks later. Blood is being placed on a piece of filter paper and being allowed to go dry for about 4 to 6 hours and then sent to laboratory for analysis.

Try not to be alarmed when you found out about the results which is abnormal on your baby, since the initial screening give only preliminary information that must be followed up by more precise testing. It is also possible to have false positive results when you have your baby had a newborn screening because most babies turn out to be normal after further testing in results.

Department of Health (DOH) underscores the importance of Newborn Screening in our country

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:28:00 +0000

According to Department of Health (DOH) in order to avoid metabolic disorders and even death, screening is an advocacy to them as told by the DOH Region 8 Assistant Regional Director Adelaida Aspirin.

The main purpose of the newborn screening is to tell whether or not a newborn child has any of the five metabolic disorders like the congenital adrenal hyperplasia, phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, galactosernea, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Screening of the newborn babies within 48 hours or at least 24 hours from birth is a must, as stressed by the DOH in Eastern Visayas. The screening is facilitated through the use of heal prick method, where drops of blood is taken from the baby's heel, then it is blotched on a special absorbent card and dried for at least four hours. The procedure may be done by the physician, nurse, midwife, or medical technologist.

The disorders that were mentioned can cause a big impact on the development and the life of the newborn baby.

Tough ethical issues about Genetic Screening

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:13:00 +0000

This is the current news that has caught attention about raising ethical issues about Genetic Screening. Knowing that the number of babies who were born with cystic fibrosis declined by half in Massachusetts, USA after the generic screening has started to identify carriers of those genes and that there may be similar declines happening across the nation according to the recent report in New England Journal of Medicine.

Massachusetts study is one of the first to examine the implications of a widespread genetic screening from which it is expected to increase as scientists has discovered one by one about genetic disorders.

The researchers said that they cannot explain the decline, but they merely surmise that couples who learn both carry the Cystic Fibrosis gene may decide on not having any children, they may turn to donor sperm or eggs or may test embryos before they are implanted in the womb. As for pregnant women who learn they are CF carriers may test the fetus and have abortions if the test is positive.

According to Richard Parad who is the author of the brief journal report and a physician at Children's Hospital Boston thinks that genetic screening has impacted the number of babies born with this disease.

The troubling questions about this is that Genetic screening for CF present unique ethical questions especially that many people with the disease live into adulthood.

G6PD Deficiency

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 08:12:00 +0000

G6PD deficiency is known as Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency which is the most common “inborn metabolic disorder” in the world. This simply means that from the time a baby is born, there already is something with the baby on how his body makes and breaks important substances. As according to statistics, there are about 400 million people who have G6PD deficiency and the most common place it is found is in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Babies who has this kind of deficiency have very little or no enzyme which is called Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase. The enzyme of G6PD is important to red blood cells, when there is a lacking of this type of enzyme or it is missing then red blood cells are easily destroyed.

Tips for individuals with G6PD:

1. If you have a cough, cold or other bacterial, or viral infections, make sure to inform your doctor that you have a G6PD.

2. If you have ingested or were also exposed to any kind of medication and your urine became tea in color, you have to inform your physician immediately.

3. If you have a yellowish discoloration in your skin, sclera or any part of your body, consult your physician immediately.

4. Avoid ingestion of or exposure to the following food, drugs and chemicals.

Foods to be avoided:

Fava Beans - Dingdong nuts, Mr. Bean
Redwine
Legumes - Habitswelas, Garbanzos, Kadyos or Black Beans, Monggo
Blueberry
Soya Food - Taho, Tofu or Tokwa, Soy Sauce
Tonic Water
Bitter Melon or Ampalaya

Herbs to be avoided:

Cattle gallstone bezoar
Honeysuckle flower
Chimonanathus flower
100% Pearl powder
Figwortflower
Acalypha indica

Chemicals to be avoided:

Methylene Blue
Arsine
Phenylhydrazine
Toluidine Blue
Trinitrotoluene

Aniline Eyes

Camphor

Napthalene

Henna

Menthol

Alaxan Gel

Begesic

Ben-gay

Broncho Rub White

Efficascent Oil

Listerine mouthwash

Listerine Pocketpacks

Mediplastin

Megascent Oil

Mentopas Medicated Plaster

Metsal

Omega Pain Killer

Perskindol

Rowachol

Sarna

Transpulmin Balsam

Screening for Inborn Errors of Metabolism

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:57:00 +0000

Here is a file attached where you can view the full article of this topic. Which talks about the newborn screening in developed countries like the Philippines which has indeed helped in reducing the morbidity and the mortality rate with certain congenital disorders.

Its content is very useful to know the Role of Parents, the role of Government Agencies, the role of Hospitals and/or Lying In administrators, and of course, the role of Health Professionals and goes with it the Background of Newborn screening for difference congenital disorders that goes with it.

Screening Inborn file - click here

According to Depart of Health information regarding newborn screening

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:51:00 +0000

Why is it important to have newborn screening?

Most babies with metabolic disorders look normal at birth. One will never know that the baby has the disorder until the onset of signs and symptoms and more often ill effects are already irreversible.

When is newborn screening done?

Newborn screening is ideally done on the 48th hour or at least 24 hours from birth. Some disorders are not detected if the test is done earlier than 24 hours. The baby must be screened again after 2 weeks for more accurate results.

How is newborn screening done?

Newborn screening is a simple procedure. Using the heel prick method, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby's heel and blotted on a special absorbent filter card. The blood is dried for 4 hours and sent to the Newborn Screening Laboratory (NBS Lab).

How much is the fee for newborn screening?

P550. The DOH Advisory Committee on Newborn Screening has approved a maximum allowable fee of P50 for the collection of the sample.

Newborn screening: Part of national plan for infants

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:42:00 +0000

Catarman, Northern Samar (8 November) -- Like a typical mother, President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo is pushing for newborn screening to be included in the government's national action plan for infants.

The main purpose of the program is to detect disorders a few days after birth and thus lead to prompt diagnosis and effective management. This health program is a must for all infants because babies with metabolic disorders usually looks normal at birth.

This program has been adopted worldwide to give children the best possible newborn care. In the Philippines about 51 hospitals offer this kind of service. Of the 51 hospitals 32 are in Metro Manila, 10 in Luzon, 5 in Visayas and 4 in Mindanao.

The newborn screening test is very simple. It only entails a prick on one of the outer sides of the heel and 3 to 4 drops of blood are collected on a special absorbent paper called a filter cord. This screening sample is collected within 48 hours after birth. After two weeks this process is repeated.

The baby will be tested for congenital hypothyroidism (CH), a disorder resulting from lack or absence of the thyroid hormone which is essential for the growth of the brain and body. This occurs when part or all of the thyroid gland fail to develop or an enzyme need to produce the said hormone. If the disorder is not detected and treatment is not prompt., the child's growth is stunted and he/she may suffer mental retardation.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder in which there is an abnormal production of hormones responsible for water balance and sex characteristics. It causes severe dehydration and abnormally high levels of male sex hormones in both sexes. This is easily treated but must be detected early to avoid serious illness due to salt loss.

Other disorders which could be detected among infants are galactosemia,penylketonuria, homocystuniria, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Galactosemia is a condition in which babies are unable to process a certain part of milk, sugar called galactose. Accumulation of galactose in the body can cause many problems, including liver and brain damage. Babies are treated by putting them on a special diet.

Penylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited diosorder caused by the absence of an enzyme needed by the body to utilize phenylalanine, a component of protein food. If not diagnosed and treated early, mental retardation will almost always occur. Treatment only involves a special diet and if started early, normal development is possible and retardation can be prevented.

Homocystinuria is another metabolic disorder resulting from the lack of absence of an enzyme needed to metabolize methionine, another component of protein food. If this component accumulates, eye and bone abnormalities, blood vessel problems and mental retardation may occur. Like PKU, treatment for homocystinuria also involves a special diet only.

Glucose -6-phosp[hate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) is a very common human enzyme defect. It leads to anemia, yellow discoloration of the skin and other health problems if the patient is exposed to oxidative substances. Management involves prevention of intake or exposure to certain drugs, food and chemicals.

Needless to say, all these disorders could be cured if detected early.

The Department of Health is continuously educating parents that child's health shall begin with adequate pre-natal and post- natal care both for the mother and the baby.

Early detection of diseases is very important to prevent such diseases to become serious disorders. Health should be the primary concern of any government as this will spell the difference between a healthy and responsive citizenry from a sick society that will siphon the resources of the country.

6th Asia Pacific Regional Meeting - International Society of Neonatal Screening .

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 07:59:00 +0000

6th Asia Pacific Regional Meeting - International Society of Neonatal Screening .
August 29, 2007 - September 1, 2007, Furama Riverfront Hotel, Singapore

NBS Awareness Week 2007

DATE^*	TIME	EVENT
October 3, 2007	8:00-12:00pm	NBS Awarding Ceremony
October 3, 2007	2:00pm - 6:00pm	DOH CHD Consultative Workshop
October 4, 2007	8:00-5:00pm	NBS National Convention
October 7, 2007	1:00pm - 4:00pm	Reunion of Saved Babies 2007

How to join the Newborn Screening Program

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:32:00 +0000

Newborn screening is now being offered in various health facilities all over the country. Newborn screening may be offered in a hospital, rural health unit, health center, lying-in clinic or any birthing center.

For those institutions that are interested in offering newborn screening, here are the steps to follow:

Step I: Download and accomplish the following forms:

a. Commitment form
This form signifies your commitment to implement newborn screening in your institution. The signatories are the key decision-makers in your institution and the four coordinators, preferably two pediatricians and two obstetricians, chosen by your group and your institution.

b. Hospital/institutional database form
This form contains important information about your institution such as the address, contact numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail address.

c. Coordinators’ forms
This form contains information about your appointed coordinators. Information needed in this form is crucial in the release of results, patient recall, and patient monitoring.

d. Directory of consultants
This form contains the list of pediatric and obstetric consultants and their addresses. Should there be no specialist in your institution, you may list down the names of health practitioners attending to the needs of your newborns.

You can find this forms by clicking here

Step 2: Send the accomplished forms to the Central Office

The address is:

Philippine Newborn Screening Program c/o The Institute of Human Genetics
National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
3/F NIH Bldg, Pedro Gil St, Ermita, Manila 1000
P.O. Box 297 (Manila Central Post Office)

You may send it through mail or e-mail with the following address:
newborn@humangenetics.com.ph

As soon as the NBS Central Office receives the accomplished form, you will be sent a notification letter and the newborn screening package containing the supplies you will need to start newborn screening in your institution.

Disorders under Philippine Newborn Screening Program

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:27:00 +0000

1. Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH)

CH results from lack or absence of thyroid hormone, which is essential to growth of the brain and the body. If the disorder is not detected and hormone replacement is not initiated within (4) weeks, the baby's physical growth will be stunted and she/he may suffer from mental retardation.

2. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

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

3. Galactosemia (GAL)

GAL is a condition in which the body is unable to process galactose, the sugar present in milk. Accumulation of excessive galactose in the body can cause many problems, including liver damage, brain damage and cataracts.

4. Phenylketonuria (PKU)

PKU is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot properly use one of the building blocks of protein called phenylalanine. Excessive accumulation of phenylalanine in the body causes brain damage.

4. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G6PD Def)

G6PD deficiency is a condition where the body lacks the enzyme called G6PD. Babies with this deficiency may have hemolytic anemia resulting from exposure to certain drugs, foods and chemicals.

DOH as the Lead Agency

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:23:00 +0000

Lead Agency. – The DOH shall be the lead agency in implementing this Act. For purposes of achieving the objectives of this Act, the DOH shall:

Establish the Advisory Committee on Newborn Screening:
Develop the implementing rules and regulations for the immediate implementation of a nationwide newborn screening program within one hundred eight (180) days from the enactment of this Act;
Coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for implementation of the newborn screening program;
Coordinate with the NIH Newborn Screening Reference Center for the accreditation of Newborn Screening Centers and preparation of defined testing protocols and quality assurance programs.

Objectives of Newborn Screening

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:21:00 +0000

To ensure that every newborn has access to newborn screening for certain heritable conditions that can result in mental retardation, serious health complications or death if left undetected and untreated.
To establish and integrate a sustainable newborn screening system within the public health delivery system;
To ensure that all health practitioners are aware of the advantages of newborn screening and of their respective responsibilities in offering newborns the opportunity to undergo newborn screening; and
To ensure that parents recognize their responsibility in promoting their child’s right to health and full development, within the context of responsible parenthood, by protecting their child from preventable causes of disability and death through newborn screening.

When is the Newborn Screening results available?

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:19:00 +0000

Newborn screening results are available within three weeks after the NBS Lab receives and tests the samples sent by the institutions. Results are released by NBS Lab to the institutions and are released to your attending birth attendants or physicians. Parents may seek the results from the institutions where samples are collected.

A negative screen mean that the result of the test is normal and the baby is not suffering from any of the disorders being screened.

In case of a positive screen, the NBS nurse coordinator will immediately inform the coordinator of the institution where the sample was collected for recall of patients for confirmatory testing.

What should be done when a baby has a positive newborn screening result?

Babies with positive results should be referred at once to the nearest hospital or specialist for confirmatory test and further management. Should there be no specialist in the area, the NBS secretariat office will assist its attending physician.

Disorder Screened	Effect SCREENED	Effect if SCREENED and treated
CH (Congenital Hypothyroidism)	Severe Mental Retardation	Normal
CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia)	Death	Alilve and Normal
GAL (Galactosemia)	Death or Cataracts	Alive and Normal
PKU (Phenylketonuria)	Severe Mental Retardation	Normal
G6PD Deficiency	Severe Anemia, Kernicterus	Normal

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:19:00 +0000

Who will collect the sample for Newborn Screening?

A physician, a nurse, a midwife or medical technologist can do the newborn screening.

Where is Newborn Screening Available?

Newborn screening is available in practicing health institutions (hospitals, lying-ins, Rural Health Units and Health Centers). If babies are delivered at home, babies may be brought to the nearest institution offering newborn screening.

How is Newborn Screening done?

noreply@blogger.com (The Collection) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:18:00 +0000

Newborn screening is a simple procedure. Using the hell prick method, a few drops are taken from the baby's heel and blotted on a special absorbent filter card. The blood is dried for 4 hours and sent to the Newborn Screening Laboratory. (NBS Lab).