Screen Every Newborn Baby
It is essential for all babies to be screened within the first forty-eight hours of life to establish whether or not the newly born infant has any one of a number of distressing conditions. All parents need to be aware of the consequences that can occur if the baby isn't tested at this early age.
What is the Test?
The test itself is straightforward and merely requires a pediatrician to prick the heel of the baby. The blood sample can then be used to check to see whether the baby has a predisposition towards any known diseases. This simple blood test will alert the pediatrician to any diagnosis early in the baby's life making any necessary treatment of the disease much easier.
One Family's Story
When their baby was about four months old, a mother left her baby and older brother with a family member while doing some training before returning to work. The mother called home after completing the training and her sister, who had been looking after the two children, told her that the baby seemed somewhat sleepy and not as happy as usual. They called the doctor who advised them to go to the hospital. The mother arrived home, and had a phone conversation with the baby's father who was already at the hospital with the baby. By the time the mother was able to reach the hospital she was told the devastating news that her beautiful baby had fallen into a coma and had already died.
Their Baby Died Without any Warning
This had happened within such a short period of time. How did it happen? Why did it happen? These were questions that the parents needed answering, and quickly, to help them to understand. They did have a contact at the Mayo clinic who told them that the baby had died from something called LCHADD (Long-Chain Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency), which was a fatty acid oxidation disorder (FOD). This didn't mean anything to the parents, but what they did establish was that if the baby had been screened when new-born, this disease would have shown, and the diagnosis would have given a positive outcome for the baby.
Why Aren't All Babies Tested
Although many states now have a mandatory screening process for babies, parents aren't always advised that private laboratories are now able to test for thirty or more life-threatening or brain-damaging illnesses. These can all be treated, but if they aren't identified early on, it could lead to brain damage or death. Approximately one in 3,000 babies are born with a disorder which can be screened for, however every state doesn't screen for all illnesses. Some problems like autism and cerebral palsy, and many other diseases, could have been prevented, and there have been a considerable number of children who were given the wrong diagnosis. Some of the diseases don't show any symptoms until it is too late, and in the majority of cases there isn't any family history or any warning signs.
Full Screening for All Babies Should be Mandatory
As further diseases are added to the list, screening for these should automatically be included in every state. Until that occurs, there will be dreadful stories, just like this one, happening on a regular basis. For a great overview watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu2C2oS0YtI
The Save Babies Through Screening Foundation's goal is to raise awareness on Newborn Screening.
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