Neonatal screening: new recommendations

Shortly after birth, almost every baby in our country undergoes a heel prick test. At the moment, the blood thus acquired is tested for 17 diseases, for which early detection is important in order to prevent or limit health damage. Regularly questions arise about the neonatal screening programme. What should be included in the screening and which findings need to be reported to the parents? Today the Health Council advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to add fourteen diseases to the screening programme and to refrain from screening for untreatable diseases, unless it is clearly beneficial to the child.