Neonatal screening vital, says Ministry of Health

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has stressed the importance of neo-natal diagnosis of newborns.

Over 35 babies since 1995 to date have been saved from an inherited metabolic defect that affects the development and growth of the brain.

The condition known as Phenylketounuria (PKU) is common among babies whose families are related If a newborn with PKU does not go through neo-natal screening, the baby may develop learning difficulties, complications and at times even death.

At the launch of the National Screening Programme for Maternal and Child Health, a MoH initiative, Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami emphasised the importance of neo-natal screening.