Medical testing capabilities have evolved over the years, especially in the area of neonatal testing, also known as newborn testing. Testing usually occurs within the first three days of a newborn’s life and screens for an array of serious conditions. Most of them are rare but occur with enough frequency to warrant the regular use of newborn testing. In many cases, early detection of most illnesses produces better treatment results.
Cystic Fibrosis
This condition causes the body to produce thicker mucus than normal in the lungs or intestines. About one in 2,500 babies has this cystic fibrosis, and the testing usually detects about 95% of babies suffering from the illness. Additionally, testing of newborns can also identify carriers of cystic fibrosis, who are themselves healthy. In order to determine which babies are carriers or sufferers, a sweat test is performed on positive-testing babies when they reach six weeks.
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
This condition is much rarer than cystic fibrosis. About one in 10,000 children suffer from it. PKU impairs the body’s ability to use a particular protein correctly, and this results in blood pooling, which in turn causes brain damage in the child. With early detection and treatment, babies who test positive for PKU can lead a normal life.
Galactosaemia
Galactosaemia occurs only once in every 40,000 babies. With this condition, the body cannot expel galactose (a type of milk sugar) from the blood. Eventually, this accumulation of galactose in the blood can lead to serious illness and death. Fortunately, it’s easily treatable by feeding your child only galactose-free products. the challenge is finding out which of the many foods on the market contain even the slightest bit of the sugar. For certain, cheese, milk and other dairy favourites are off limits.
For more information on neonatal testing, contact Trinity Biotech at www.trinitybiotech.com.