The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries to expand newborn screening programmes, saying early detection of birth defects can save lives and prevent lifelong disabilities among millions of children.
In a report released on Tuesday titled “Strengthening Capacity for Newborn Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Birth Defects,” WHO said newborn screening presents an important opportunity to accelerate progress in child survival.
According to the health organisation, an estimated eight million babies are born with a birth defect every year, with congenital conditions now accounting for almost eight percent of all deaths among children under the age of five.
WHO said about 90 percent of children born with serious birth defects live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to screening, diagnosis and treatment remains limited.
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“No child should miss the chance for a healthy future because a congenital condition was not detected early enough,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
“Around the world, countries are showing that newborn screening for one or more conditions can save lives, prevent disability and give a newborn the best opportunity to fulfil her or his potential.”
WHO said conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, sickle-cell disease, hearing impairment and some metabolic disorders can be successfully treated if detected soon after birth, but millions of children continue to be diagnosed too late or never receive treatment.
The organisation highlighted wide disparities in newborn screening worldwide, noting that while some countries routinely screen all newborns for more than 50 conditions, others are unable to screen for any.
WHO urged every country to begin newborn screening by prioritising conditions that can be effectively detected and managed within their health systems, before gradually expanding programmes as capacity grows.
According to the report, birth defects account for a growing share of under-five deaths in many parts of the world. Between 2000 and 2023, the proportion of under-five deaths attributed to birth defects increased from one percent to four percent in sub-Saharan Africa and from three percent to 11 percent in South Asia, partly due to progress in reducing deaths from infectious and other preventable diseases.
The report highlights successful national programmes in countries including Uganda, India, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, where newborn screening has been integrated into routine health services with improved access to diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.
WHO is urging governments to integrate newborn screening, diagnosis and treatment into routine health services and universal health coverage programmes, starting with conditions that are national priorities and can be effectively managed within available health systems.
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