Newborn screening

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for newborns. As individuals, we have a right to filter the informational input received even from the time of birth from the health care establishment. Our genetic makeup, while profound and revealing, may be so dramatically life altering that some may choose to live without knowing it at all. At this stage, WGS interpretation is still being explored and represents an area of science that the public may be wary about. This leads to the idea of WGS for newborns. Should states adopt universal WGS in addition to standard…

at another crossroad with privacy rights vs. modern scientific medicine and technology by American poet, fiction writer, and journalist Susan Scutti article The Government Owns Your DNA. What Are They Doing With It? Scutti’s Newsweek article is one of many articles published on genetic testing for newborns in the United States. Genetic testing for neonates dates back to the 1960s when President Kennedy signed…

It is the desire of parents to give birth to healthy, happy newborns. Unfortunately, just because a baby is born looking completely healthy that does not mean that the child has no underlying health issues. Thankfully, newborn state screening is performed in the hospital shortly after birth. This test can detect several potential health issues that a newborn may have. This screening provides a public service as it can alert parents to conditions that the child might need to seek treatment for.…

I believe that genetic screening of newborns should be done on all newborns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers newborn-screening tests one of the greatest public health achievements to reducing morbidity and mortality of newborns (CDC, 2011) . Although mandatory screening tests can vary by state, all states screen for at least 26 genetic and endocrine disorders that “saves at least 3,400 additional newborns each year”(CDC, 2011). The March of Dimes (MOD) recommends…

Newborn genetic screening is one of several tests that are done on newborn babies. The purpose of newborn genetic screening is to screen newborns as a preventive measure. The newborn is screened to help the parents know if the newborn is at risks for certain medical conditions. The test varies from state to state, however, all states must test for 29 disorders. Phenylketonuria and Congenital hypothyroidism are the top two disorders doctors look out for the most. Phenylketonuria also known as…

inclusion of the whole genome sequencing into the newborn screening program. The WGS has been relatively successful in providing researchers with a more accurate conclusion of potential metabolic and genetic disorders of the newborns screened (Blackmann, 2015). This information as you have mentioned can be vital in creating early treatment plans for parents to consider for their child. However, due the WGS being a relatively new phenomenon it still presents a host of risk. Researchers have found…

There was not a nationwide newborn screening program for infants in Turkey back then. It was a big challenge indeed to explain and obtain the consent from families for the tests. I will never forget one of my patients who was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism with the help of this project. Her parents were not aware of the benefits of being diagnosed so early in the life. Thus, I worked really hard to explain the importance of the issue and finally persuaded them to bring her back to the…

sanitation to immunizations to genetic screening, the communities’ health and wellbeing has seen drastic improvements in the last sixty years. Throughout history, high death tolls have been attributable to infectious…

Universal Newborn Hearing Screenings Over 50 years ago, audiologists, educators, parents, and medical personnel recognized and stressed the importance of early identification of hearing loss among infants. The understanding for a need for early identification of a child’s hearing loss has led us to the modern technology and assessment of hearing for newborns, most commonly referred to as the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). In the United States, as of 2007, over 90% of newborns are…

hemorrhoids). However, it usually isn’t painful also could be done in a short period of time. (2)Digital rectal examination (DRE) The progress DRE is the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum for the purpose to check the prostate gland for abnormalities.In order to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a biopsy is also been considered as a necessary factor. However, A DRE should not be treated as a standard test for the one who don’t have symptoms of prostate cancer. In general,…