Newborn Screenings

Two things will influence the new directions for newborn screening: the development of effective treatments for hitherto untreatable disorders, and advancing technology, enabling new testing strategies to be developed. There are novel treatments on the horizon for many discrete disorders. Susceptibility testing has recently been considered for newborn screening application, but is more controversial. Newborn screening has entered a new and exciting phase, with an explosion of new treatments, new technologies, and, possibly in the future, new preventive strategies.

Is newborn screening critical?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your baby is at a higher risk for a disorder. However if all your answer is 'no'; this does not mean that you can forgo screening for your baby.

• Do you have a family history of an inherited disorder?
• Have you previously given birth to a child who's affected by a disorder?
• Did an infant in your family die because of a suspected metabolic disorder?
• Do you have another reason to believe that your child may be at risk for a certain condition?

 
Who Has The Role To Play?

Parents

1. Must see information about newborn screening from the health professional attending to the delivery of their baby.
2. Must recognise the importance of newborn screening and that it is part of responsible parenthood to ensure that their baby has newborn screening done at birth.
3. Parents of affected babies must ensure that they follow up regularly with the specialist. Parents must ensure that medication/dietary modification (whichever is necessary for treatment) is strictly followed under the guidance of the specialist.

Health Professionals

1. Encourage parents to have their newborns undergo newborn screening for the congenital disorders included in the screening program.
2. Provide adequate information about newborn screening to parents including the screening procedure, the disorders included and the possible consequences of untreated conditions, including costs and benefits.
3. Organize and participate in continuing medical education activities such as conventions and seminars on newborn screening.
4. Serve as model advocates for newborn screening, community and legislative advocates, to encourage state and local governments to enact legislation requiring integration of newborn screening into the existing health care delivery system with mandatory neonatal screening for G6PD, CH, CAH, PKU and GAL.

Hospital

1. All administrators of hospitals, maternity units must have newborn screening available in their facilities. Information on newborn screening must be available in prenatal clinics, labour rooms, delivery rooms, nurseries and hospital wards.
2. All administrators of hospitals, maternity units must assist in the recall of patients with a positive result in the newborn screening.

Non-Government Agencies

1. All non-government agencies must be vigilant advocates of newborn screening. Their major contribution will be the education of their members.
2. Coalitions of health professionals, parents and community leaders should develop and support a widespread campaign and national effort on educating the public about neonatal screening.

The Paediatric Neurologist diagnoses and cares for children with disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscle. They also specialized in assessing children with behavioral syndromes such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulty, such as Dyslexia.

Children with the following problems should be referred to a Paediatric Neurologist:

• Developmental delay
• Headache/migraine
• Autistic spectrum disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Learning difficulties, such as dyslexia
• Muscle disorders, such as cramps and weakness
• Peripheral nerve disorders, which result in numbness, weakness or
• Pain
• Spina bifida
• Seizures and epilepsy
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Demyelination, such as multiple sclerosis
• Abnormal movements, such as tics, tremors and dystonia
• Unsteadiness
• Degenerative disorders

 
Electroencephalography or EEG Services (Brain Electrical Activity)

The Paediatric Neurology can also provide EEG service for children.

EEG or Electroencephalography is the measurement of electrical activity produced by the brain. It is non-invasive, and is recorded using small electrodes placed on the skin of the scalp. There are no needles, and the electrodes are kept in place using paste. The procedure lasts for about 20-30 minutes, and certain activation procedures, such as opening and closing the eyes, rapid-breathing and strobe light flashes may be carried out. The procedure can be carried out when awake and in sleep. Younger children may require a mild sedative for the recording.

The EEG provides the doctor with very useful information in children who have had seizures. It helps them decide which treatments to use and the long term prognosis. The EEG may also be useful in assessment of children who have abnormal movements, autism, behavioral regression (a recent change in behavior) or intellectual deterioration.

Any appointments may be made directly with our Outpatient Registration counter at tel: 088-322134 or fax: 088-272622

The Paediatric Nephrologist diagnoses and cares for children with kidney diseases, electrolyte disturbances and hypertension.

They specialized in the care of children who need dialysis or have had a kidney transplant.

Children with the following problems should be referred to a Paediatric Nephrologist:

• Haematuria (blood loss in the urine)
• Proteinuria (the loss of protein in the urine), especially Nephrotic Syndrome
• Kidney stones
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Antenatal Hydronephrosis (enlarged urinary system of the fetus in- utero)
• Congenital Disorders of the kidney and ureters, such as single kidney and pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction
• Congenital Disorders of the bladder and urethra such as Vesico- Ureteric
• Reflux and Posterior Urethral Valves
• Hypertension
• Electrolyte Disorders such as Renal Tubular Acidosis
• Autoimmune Disorders that affect the kidney, such as Lupus Nephritis
• Acute Renal Failure, a sudden loss of kidney function
• Chronic Kidney Disease, declining kidney function over months or years

Any appointments may be made directly with our Outpatient Registration counter at tel: 088-322134 or fax: 088-272622