There are around 53,000 births in Scotland each year. Screening is offered within the first few days of life so that early effective treatment can lead to better outcomes.
The uptake of screening is 99.9% (46 refusals for all or part of newborn blood spot screening in 2005).
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland published Pregnancy & Newborn Screening Clinical Standards in October 2005.
In July 2008 the Scottish Government issued a letter to the Chief Executives at NHS Boards outlining a number of changes and developments to strengthen and extend the current pregnancy and newborn screening programmes. To find out more about these improvements please see Chief Executive Letter of July 2008.
Existing Newborn Screening Programmes
Phenylketonuria (PKU):
- PKU is an inherited metabolical disorder which if left untreated will lead to significant learning disability (treatment being dietary restriction)
- Affects around 1 in every 8,000 babies born in Scotland (6 or 7 babies a year)
- Screening for PKU has been in existence since 1965.
Congenital Hypothyroidism (CHT):
- CHT is an inherited metabolical disorder which if left untreated will lead to slower than normal growth and significant learning difficulties
- The condition is easily corrected by giving thyroxine by mouth
- Affects around 1 in every 3,500 babies born in Scotland (15 or 16 babies a year)
- Babies in Scotland have been screened for this condition since 1979.
Cystic Fibrosis:
- Cystic fibrosis affects around 1 in every 2,500 babies born in Scotland (around 20 babies a year)
- Early treatment may help affected babies to maintain good nutrition and minimise chest infections leading to improved quality of life
- The national programme commenced February 2003.
The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS):
- UNHS will detect around 60-65 cases a year of congenital hearing impairment. Screening at birth will not find any additional children with hearing impairment but allow earlier detection and treatment leading to better speech and benefits in well being, educational achievements and employment prospects.
- Universal coverage was achieved at end of 2005.