Proposal to ensure newborn screening within 72 hrs

dubai — A draft resolution requiring health facilities to examine newborns within the first 72 hours of birth is being readied, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap).

Hussein Abdel Rahman Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for health centres and clinics, explained that the goals of the newborn screening programmme are to ensure that all UAE newborns are screened, and all affected infants receive appropriate confirmatory testing, counselling and

treatment to detect physical and mental disabilities and reduce mortality. He said the ministry was readying the draft to be submitted to the Cabinet.

He noted that the diseases that are examined include 40 genetic diseases in accordance with inter

national standards. These are Phenylketonuria, endocrine insufficiency, sickle cell anaemia, congenital malformations, biotin deficiency disease, diseases of amino acids, organic and fatty (mass spectrometer), glactosemia, Other tests include cardiac examination to detect critical congenital deformities of the heart and early screening of hearing disorders for newborns to detect hereditary deafness.

The ministry provides the service based on a specified fee structure and in case a genetic disease is detected, the laboratory will immediately contact the parents to proceed with treatment as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.

He added that the plans for the future development of the programme is to increase the coverage of children examined by 99 per cent in 2021.