A simple heel prick is the best gift your baby can receive at birth. Newborn screening or NSB is a simple medical procedure to check if your baby has a congenital metabolic disorder such as Phenylketonuria or PKU, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia or CAH, Congenital hypothyroidism, and Galactosemia. If these left untreated, it could lead to mental retardation and even death.
Babies with genetic disorder may appear healthy at birth. Through newborn screening, the diseases are diagnosed and treated early and subsequent medical problems and complications are prevented. Newborns should have the test before hospital discharge, usually at the 48th hour of life. Babies who were not born in the hospital should be brought to a clinic that offers newborn screening within the first week of life.
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