Philippine E-Journals

An Analysis of the Basic Newborn Screening Test Cases

Catherine De Jesus Maestro | Kristine Andrea Bontor Felasol

 

Abstract:

Basic Newborn Screening is a procedure to find out if an infant has a congenital metabolic disorder. This may lead to intellectual and development disabilities or even death if not treated early. It is ideally done within 24-72 hours from birth. The blood is taken from the heel of the infant, blotted on an absorbent card, and the specimen is forwarded to the Newborn Screening Center. This study assessed the present health condition of those child responders who underwent Newborn Screening Test around Laguna Province, Philippines regardless of their age. There were four groups identified: (a) those with normal findings on initial screening; (b) those with abnormal findings in initial screening but had normal findings in confirmatory testing; (c) those with abnormal findings in both initial and confirmatory testing; and (d) those with abnormal findings in the initial testing but did not go further to undergo confirmatory testing. The hospitals where they had their Newborn Screening Test were also identified. The mother-respondents were interviewed in terms of their physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual, financial, and spiritual aspects. These aspects were analyzed and interpreted using the Colaizzi’s Method. Out of the 20 child participants, 15 had normal findings from the initial testing, one child had an abnormal findings on initial testing but went normal during confirmatory testing, three children were found with abnormal findings both from the initial and confirmatory testings, and one child had an abnormal findings on initial screening but did not undergo confirmatory testing. For the primary caregivers, 1 out of the 5 participants was identified with some discrepancies regarding the psychological, emotional, and intellectual aspects when she decided to not push through with the confirmatory testing. All the five primary caregivers were not affected physically, financially, and spiritually in ways that their daily activities remained as they were. The researchers recommended that Basic Newborn Screening Program should be followed diligently by the primary caregivers for optimal utilization of the benefits. Furthermore, proper and wide information dissemination was also recommended.