INFOGRAPHICS: Importance of Newborn Screening

A newborn child can be considered as one of life’s most precious gifts.

Babies make the parents’ relationship stronger and, at the same time, make the family complete.

After the baby is born, it is necessary for him or her to undergo newborn screening.

To highlight the importance of this, the Department of Health designated October 1 to 7 as National Newborn Screening Week.  Let’s learn more about this program.

What is Newborn Screening?

According to the Department of Health, newborn screening (NBS) is a public health program aimed at the early identification of infants who are affected by certain genetic/metabolic/infectious conditions. It is a  simple procedure to find out if the baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation and even death if left untreated.