2007 Public Lecture Series - Science at Your Service
April 26, 2007
NEWBORN SCREENING: Oh Baby, How Do You Do?
With the advent of new technology called tandem mass spectroscopy, it is now possible to screen infants a day or two after birth for more than 40 disorders by taking about five drops of blood from their heel. DNA analysis and other testing can be completed on the same sample. Newborn screening, done by all states in the U.S., looks for metabolic signs of genetic and infectious disease before any overt symptoms occur. The newborn period is the best time to do this type of large-scale testing because the target population is captive. By recognition of increased risk and diagnosis of these diseases in the newborn period, significant sickness and poor health outcomes can be avoided. Even more important, potentially fatal outcomes and "diagnostic odysseys" are eliminated. As technology continues to advance, the equipment is getting smaller and the number and types of analyses are getting larger. Where we are with this public health program, and where we are going with new technology will be presented.