Bridging The Gap: Awareness And Utilisation Of Newborn Screening In A South Indian Tertiary Care Setting

Jeevitha Palanivelu; Kalaivani Anantharaaman; Manasi Garg; Soundararajan P

doi:10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i3.421

Authors

Jeevitha Palanivelu Junior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India.
Kalaivani Anantharaaman Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India.
Manasi Garg Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India.
Soundararajan P Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Puducherry, India.

Abstract

Introduction:Newborn screening (NBS) is the process of screening newborns shortly after birth for disorders like inborn errors of metabolism, hypothyroidism or G6PD deficiency and many more. Early diagnosis of these disorders and prompt intervention can prevent irreversible damage, disability, or death, thereby enhance long-term health outcomes, and ease the burden on healthcare systems. Low parental awareness and knowledge about newborn screening have been identified as a public issue.

Aims:To determine the level of awareness and utilisation of the Newborn Screening programamongexpectant and postnatal mothers

Settings and Design:This is a cross-sectional study done over a period of one and half years among expectant and postnatal mothers visiting a tertiary care centre in south India.

Methods and Material:Antenatal mothers visiting the Obstetrics OPD for an antenatal checkup and postnatal mothers from the Pediatric OPD for follow-up until 3 months of age were included after written informed consent. The data collectionwill be conducted using a pre-tested, pre-validated questionnaire, administered by theprincipal investigator.

Statistical analysis used:Frequencies and percentages were used for descriptive statistics. Chi square test or Fisher exact test was used for finding association between nominal variables.

Results:We found that only 27.5 % of antenatal women and 71.1 % of postnatal women had awareness about newborn screening test. Factors influencing newborn screening awareness was significantly associated with parity, gender, types of family, monthly income, and type of house. The utilisation of newborn screening (NBS) services was 100%. This high utilisation rate is attributable to the institutional policy of performing NBS for all neonates delivered in the hospital, irrespective of prior parental awareness or counselling.

Conclusions: The awareness of NBS is very low in the primiparous mothers, which can be improved with counselling. Early and appropriate counselling not only supports informed decision-making among parents but also greatly reduces anxiety related to the screening process. It is recommended to use hospital lectures or social media initiatives to educate parents.

Keywords:

Newborn screening, Antenatal mother, Postnatal mother, awareness, sociodemographic factors

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i3.421

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