Parents, here's what you need to know about newborn screening here in the Philippines.
What can you read in this article?
- What is the importance of newborn screening in the Philippines?
- What's the expanded newborn screening all about?
- Is it for free?
After nine months of waiting, finally, your baby is born. Congratulations!
We know you're excited to bring the baby home. But before you can leave the hospital, there are certain things that need to be done to ensure that your child will be safe and healthy, such as newborn screening.
Also, as a new parent, you may wonder: What are these tests? What are the doctors looking for? Are such tests needed?
Importantly, your concerns are as valid as the tests are necessary. Nevertheless rest assured that these tests cause little pain, if any at all, to your precious little one. Such tests are routine and are essential in ensuring your baby is well and healthy.
Newborn screening in the Philippines
Most babies look normal and the same when they are born. But they might have a congenital disorder that if not attended to right away, may put their health at risk.
The newborn screening is a simple test that is done on babies after they are born to check if they have a congenital disorder. By doing newborn screening, metabolic disorders can be detected even before clinical signs and symptoms manifest. As a result, treatment can be given early to prevent serious consequences like mental retardation or death.
It was in the year 1996 when newborn screening was implemented in the Philippines, but in 2014, Republic Act 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2014 was mandated into law, which states that all babies born in the Philippines should undergo newborn screening.
Since May 2019, the Department of Health mandated that all babies should undergo the Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS), which increased the screening panel of disorders from six (6) to more than twenty-eight.
Newborn screening prevents the infant from experiencing birth defects and complications such as:
- Severe mental retardation
- Coma from metabolic crisis
- Developmental and physical delays
- Neurologic impairment
- Seizures
- Enlargement of the heart & liver
- Muscle weakness
- Breathing problems
- Neurologic damage
- Painful complications
- Anemia
- Stroke
- Multi-organ failure
- Death
Newborn screening in the Philippines - things you need to know
Here are some things parents usually ask when it comes to newborn screening in the Philippines.
When is the newborn screening done?
Ideally, the newborn screening should be done within 24 to 48 hours after birth. It is for this reason that the baby cannot be discharged from the hospital without having done the necessary tests.
Where is this procedure available?
According to DOH, enhanced newborn screening is available in certified hospitals, lying-ins, rural health units, health centers, and some private clinics in the Philippines.
What's included in the Expanded Newborn Screening?
With ENBS, your baby will be screened for the following conditions:
Endocrine Disorders
-
- Congenital Hypothyroidism
- Congenital Adrenal
- Hyperplasia
Amino Acid Disorders
-
- Homocystinuria
- Hypermethioninemia/Methionine Adenosine Transferase Deficiency
- Maple Syrup Urine Disease
- Phenylketonuria
- Tyrosinemia Type I
- Tyrosinemia Type II, III
Fatty Acid Disorders
-
- Carnitine Palmi toyltransferase I Deficiency
- Glutaric Acidemia Type II
- Carnitine Palmi toyltransferase II Deficiency
- Glutaric Acidemia Type II
- Carnitine Uptake Deficiency
- Glutaric Acidemia Type II
- Long Chain Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- Medium Chain-Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- Very Long Chain-Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- Tri-functional Protein Deficiency
Organic Acid Disorders
-
- 3-Methylcrotnyl CoA Carboxylase Deficiency
- Beta Ketothiolase Deficiency
- Glutaric Acidemia Type I
- Isovaleric Acidemia
- Methylmalonic Acidemia
- Multiple Carboxylase Deficiency
- Propionic Acidemia
Urea Cycle Defect
-
- Citrullinemia
- Argininosuccinic Aciduria
Hemoglobinopathies
-
- Hemoglobin C
- Beta Thalassemia
- Hemoglobin D
- Alpha Thalassemia
- Hemoglobin E
- Sickle Cell Disease
Others
-
- Galactosemia
- Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Biotinidase Deficiency
How is the procedure done?
A few drops of blood are taken from the baby’s heel, blotted on a special absorbent filter card, and then sent to Newborn Screening Center (NSC). A doctor, nurse or certified medical technician will conduct the procedure.
While it may seem uncomfortable for you to see your baby being poked, remember that it is necessary and a few seconds of pain may actually save his life in the long run. It can help if you or your partner will be with the baby during the procedure.
How much is the test?
Expanded newborn screening costs ₱1750, but it is part of the Newborn Care Package (NCP) for PhilHealth members.
Aside from ENBS, the Newborn Care Package includes Vitamin K eye ointment, vaccines for Hepatitis B and BCG, Newborn Hearing Screening Test, and fees for attending health professionals.
So before giving birth, make sure that your PhilHealth membership is all set and updated.
When can I get the results?
The test results can be claimed from the health facility where it was conducted. Usually, you will hear from them within 7 to 14 days after the test, if the results are normal.
If the ENBS results are positive, the parents may hear immediately from the health facility, so make sure that the address and phone number you provided them are correct.
What do these results mean?
A negative screen means that the ENBS result is normal and the baby is cleared from the diseases mentioned above. Meanwhile, a positive result means that the newborn should be brought back to the health facility or his pediatrician for further observation and testing.
READ MORE:
Parent's Guide: 6 essential things you'll need in baby's nursery
Parents' Guide: 17 things na hindi dapat gawin sa newborn baby
Preparing for your newborn? Here are the new Always Safe protocols in MakatiMed
Other tests for newborns
1. Neonatal Reflexes
Types of neonatal reflexes
- Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
- Babinski reflex
- Grasp reflex
- Moro or startle reflex
- Rooting reflex
- Step reflex
- Truncal incurvation or Galant reflex
Neonatal reflex tests: How to assess
-
Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
-
Babinski reflex
-
Grasp reflex
-
Moro or startle reflex
-
Rooting reflex
-
Step reflex
-
Truncal incurvation or Galant reflex
Reflex tests in the Philippines
2. Apgar scoring
1. Appearance (skin color)
2. Pulse (heart rate)
3. Grimace response (reflexes)
4. Activity (muscle tone)
5. Respiration (breathing rate and effort)
3. Quick physical examination
Thorough physical examination
4. Hearing test
Vaccinations and injections
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. TheAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.