Newborn screenings now required across U.S.
Only a short time ago, only a handful of states reqired testing for a variety of diseases and conditions.
The panel of tests checks for genetic, metabolic, hormonal and functional disorders, according to the organization. Many of the disorders cause no visible symptoms in a baby until after damage, often permanent, is done. Some of the disorders lead to mental retardation, and others end in death.
The first test that was made available was for phenylketonuria (PKU), a condition in which the body can’t process part of a protein called phenylalanine. The disorder affects about one child in every 25,000 born in the United States, according to the March of Dimes. Left untreated, phenylalanine accumulates in the body and can cause serious brain damage and mental retardation. Changes in diet can prevent these problems from occurring, but the diet must be started soon after birth and followed for the rest of the child’s life to prevent brain damage.
(Source)
This can protect many children from the start against potentially devastating illnesses and prevent tragedy before a disease has time to do too much harm. By the end of 2008 all 50 states and the District of Columbia have some law in regards to childhood illness testing.
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