Newborn screening is recognized all over the world as a form of preventative health care. Newborn
screening tests babies in the first few days of life for selected genetic and metabolic diseases that are
often not apparent at birth.
These congenital (from birth) diseases can progress rapidly to severe illness if not detected early and
treatment started. Severe complications such as brain damage and possibly even death, can be
prevented by this simple test.
Netcells in partnership with Quest Laboratories Limited offers First Screen – a newborn screening test
done in collaboration with North-West University.
5 Things parents need to know about Newborn Screening:
- Babies with metabolic disorders may look healthy at birth.
- Early diagnosis can prevent debilitating complications.
- The test is safe, not harmful.
- Test only requires a few drops of blood from your baby’s heel.
- Up to 10% of babies may require retesting, and the vast majority of these will turn out to be healthy.
What are these serious diseases?
This test screens for disorders involving the metabolism of nutrients in the body, which lead to abnormalities in
body chemistry. Our bodies need proteins, fats and carbohydrates to be broken down and absorbed from the
foods that we eat so that we can build body tissues like muscle, bones, blood, nerves and brain tissue.
Enzymes are body chemicals that are involved in the process of breaking down the proteins, fats and
carbohydrates into substances that the body can use. Most disorders of metabolism are due to a lack of a certain
enzyme, leading to a problem with the breakdown of a certain nutrient. The body then cannot derive the benefit
of this nutrient, which results in a disease or disorder of body chemistry.
In some disorders, there is a problem in the transport and usage of nutrients, which can also lead to the
development of a disease or disorder in body chemistry.
Newborn screening tests are designed to pick up these diseases and disorders before any harmful effects set in. As
most affected children show no sign of the disease at birth, the tests have to be done within 48 – 72 hours of birth.
List of Disorders
Disorders Involving Protein (Amino Acids) Metabolism:
Amino Acid Disorders
Amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins in our food. A number of different enzymes are
needed to process these amino acids for our body to use. A problem with these enzymes means that the
body cannot utilise the amino acids properly, and they can build up to dangerous levels in the body and
cause damage to the brain, or liver or other organs.
The amino acid disorders included in FirstScreen:
- Citrullinemia, Type I
- Classic Phenylketonuria
- Homocystinuria
- Maple Syrup Urine Disease
- Tyrosinemia, Type I
Disorders Involving Fat Metabolism:
The body uses fat to create energy, which is essential for growth and normal development. The body’s
process of breaking down fat is called “fatty acid oxidation” and involves a number of enzymes. Problems
with these enzymes will cause fatty acid oxidation disorders, and affected children will not be able to
breakdown fat from either food or their own body fat stores.
Fatty acid oxidation disorders included in FirstScreen:
- Carnitine Uptake Defect/Carnitine Transport Defect
- Long Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl- CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (LCHAD)
- Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD or Glutaric Acidemia II)
- Medium-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- Very Long-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
Disorders Involving Carbohydrates (Sugars and Starches):
Milk, which is baby’s first food, contains a sugar called galactose. Disorders involving enzymes that
breakdown galactose can cause a build up that is extremely toxic to the body.
The disorder that is included in FirstScreen:
- Classic Galactosemia
Disorders Involving Hormones (Endocrine Disorders):
Hormones are our body’s chemical messengers, sending messages from one place to another and
regulating various processes in the body. Hormones are made by the endocrine glands such as the
thyroid, the ovaries, the testes and the adrenal glands.
The 2 endocrine disorders included in FirstScreen:
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism
Other Disorders:
- Biotinidase Deficiency
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common inherited (from both parents) childhood diseases.
It’s a disorder in which there is a problem in the regulation of movement of water and salt in and
out of the body cells. The result is a body’s inability to properly secrete fluids like sweat, tears,
digestive enzymes and mucus. The fluids become thick, and cause blockages in parts of the body
like the respiratory tract, pancreas, intestine, liver, sweat glands and male genital tract. Should all
newborns be screened? - Since we do not know which child may be at risk of a metabolic disease, international practice
recommends that all children undergo newborn screening. By testing all children, we’re assured
of finding the few that are affected, for whom early detection and treatment of the disease is vital.
When should newborns be screened? - The ideal time is between 48 and 72 hours after the birth, but up to a week after birth is still
acceptable. The baby needs to have had a few feeds and started the digestion and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats (all found in breast milk and formula milk) to bring the disorder to light. - Tests done outside the ideal timeframe may still be useful, but they become less accurate.
How will my newborn be screened?
The test must be done 2-3 days after birth.
Next Biosciences will inform you and your paediatrician of the result.
Should you be discharged before 48 hours after birth, you will need to take your baby to a designated
Quest Laboratory branch for the blood draw within the first 4 days (72 hours) for the newborn screening
test.
What does it mean if the test must be repeated?
Sometimes, the laboratory will request that the test be repeated. It does not necessarily mean there is
anything wrong with the baby – it may be that the sample was not collected properly, and not enough
blood was available for testing. Repeat tests may be requested in as many as 10% of cases.
What if my baby’s result is abnormal?
If something is found to be abnormal with the results, a repeat test, and sometimes additional blood
and urine tests, may be required. Don’t be alarmed by the request for further testing, as it doesn’t mean
that there’s definitely something wrong with the baby. Often, when the first test suggests a problem,
the results cannot be considered final until a repeat test is done. This requires a new blood sample. The
doctors at Next Biosciences and your paediatrician will discuss the need for further tests with you.
When will I know the results of the test?
You will be notified of the result within 7 -10 working days of the test being done
What happens if my baby is diagnosed with a disorder?
If a test comes back positive for any of the disorders, your pediatrician will contact you immediately.
Each disorder is treatable in its own way, even though they’re not curable. Your paediatrician will guide
you through the explanation of the disease, and the ways in which it can be treated. Next Biosciences is
also able to organise a genetic counsellor to counsel you about the implications of the disease.
How are these conditions treated?
In most instances, treatment consists of dietary modifications, dietary supplementation, hormones and
sometimes medication. If your baby has one of these conditions, it is very important that treatment is
started as soon as possible.
Are there risks involved in NBS?
The baby will feel little discomfort during the heel prick and may cry a bit. The testing is not harmful at
all.