Fewer mothers in Central Visayas submit newborn to screening - DOH

CEBU, Philippines - Compliance rate for newborn screening in Central Visayas is reportedly low, prompting the Department of Health to continue its information dissemination, stressing the importance of such screening to the child.

DOH-7 Newborn Screening Program Coordinator Ruff Vincent Valdevieso said compliance rate for NBS in the region is only 52 percent or about 81,785 newborn babies screened in 2014.

“Di g’yud ing-ana pa kataas ang atong compliance rate because some mothers opted their newborn child not to undergo such screening out of poverty especially in rural areas,” said Valdevieso during yesterday’s Kapihan sa PIA.

NBS costs P600 or free at all for mothers who are members of PhilHealth.

For this year, Valdevieso said, the DOH has expanded NBS from six to 28 disorders, which now costs P1,500.

“It is best that newborn babies should be screened while they are still one day old in order to detect early signs and symptoms of diseases that may no longer be cured in the later years of the child,” he said.

The earlier six disorders include congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, phenylketonuria, glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, galactosemia, and maple syrup urine disease.

Congenital Hypothyroidism results from lack or absence of thyroid hormone which is essential for the physical and mental development of a child. If the disorder is not detected and hormone replacement is not initiated within two weeks, the baby with this disorder may suffer from growth and mental retardation.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, on the other hand, is an endocrine disorder that causes severe salt loss, 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 to 14 days.

Galactosemia is a condition in which babies are 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.

Phenylketonuria  is a rare condition in which the baby cannot properly use one of the building blocks of protein called phenylalanine.  Excessive accumulation of phenylalanine in the blood causes brain damage.

Furthermore, Glucose-6Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency is a condition where the body lacks the enzyme called G6PD.  Babies with this deficiency may have hemolytic anemia resulting from exposure to oxidative substances found in drugs, foods and chemicals.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease is a genetic metabolic disorder resulting from the defective activity of the enzyme branched chain alpha-keto-acid dehydrogenase complex. Accumulation of the branched chain amino acids is toxic to the brain.

The expanded screening, meanwhile, includes 22 more disorders such as hemoglobinopathies and additional metabolic disorders namely organic acid and fatty acid oxidation, and amino acid disorders, among others.

Integrated into the public health delivery system with the enactment of Republic Act 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, NBS is a procedure intended for early identification of infants who are affected by certain genetic, metabolic, or infectious conditions that may lead to mental retardation or morbidity if left untreated.

According to newbornscreening.ph, most babies with metabolic disorders look “normal” at birth and by doing NBS, metabolic disorders may be detected even before clinical signs and symptoms are present. And as a result of this, treatment can be given early to prevent consequences of untreated conditions.

“Giawhag g’yud namo ang mga inahan nga samtang mabdos pa, magtigom g’yud para sa Newborn screening kay in the long run, mas daku ang ilang magasto kung di dayon mabantayan ang mga metabolic or genetic disorders sa ilang mga anak,” Veldevieso stressed. —(FREEMAN)