Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Universal Newborn Screening: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Satisfaction among Public Health Professionals”

Authors: Inés Anchondo, DrPH, MPH

Abstract

The newborn screening (NBS) program in the United States began in the 1960s, when phenylketonuria, a treatable but potentially lethal genetic amino acid disorder, was able to be detected by a simple system for collecting and analyzing infant blood samples on a small filter paper blood spot. At present, up to 30 genetic and nongenetic serious health conditions can be detected as part of the nationwide NBS program. Although states vary in the number and specific conditions that are tested in this program, all 50 states have implemented systematic newborn testing with the four most common conditions being phenylketonuria, galactosemia, congenital hypothyroidism, and sickle cell anemia.

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References

1. Dunn L, Gordon K, Sein J, et al.. Universal newborn screening: knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction among public health professionals. South Med J 2012; 105: 218–222.