In a new report titled "Strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects," the UN agency emphasizes that early diagnosis and prompt management are effective ways to reduce infant mortality and preventable disabilities. Approximately eight million children are born annually with a congenital malformation, accounting for about 8% of deaths in children under five. This issue is particularly critical in low- and middle-income countries, where nearly 90% of children with severe congenital malformations live, but access to screening and treatment is limited.
The report highlights that conditions like congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease, hearing impairments, and certain metabolic disorders can be effectively treated if diagnosed in the first days of life. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, states that no child should be deprived of a healthy future due to an undetected congenital condition. The WHO notes significant disparities in healthcare systems, with some countries screening for over fifty diseases while others have no screening at all.
The organization recommends that each state begin by integrating screening for a priority condition relevant to its health context, then gradually expanding the program as technical and medical capacities g
