Good practices for an effective neonatal screening

Abstract

Neonatal screening is a public health strategy whose purpose is the early detection and timely intervention of patients at risk of developing a congenital disease to prevent the disability or death of the newborn. With more than 20 years of experience in carrying out expanded metabolic neonatal screening, this paper aims to present the important steps to carry out a cost-effective neonatal screening program for the population and those responsible for allocation. Knowledge of the scope and different phases of the program will allow correct decision-making on the conditions that should be included in a screening program and the way to escalate to a greater number of conditions.

Keywords

• Screening. Newborn. Metabolism.