Global health organization promotes infant testing at birth to prevent long-term impairments

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The World Health Organisation has called on countries worldwide to scale up newborn screening programmes, warning that early detection and treatment of birth defects could save millions of lives and reduce lifelong disabilities.

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WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the appeal on Tuesday while presenting a new report focused on newborn screening as a key intervention for improving child survival and health outcomes.

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A report on the agency’s website disclosed this.

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According to Ghebreyesus, the report underscores strengthening newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects as a critical opportunity for improving child survival globally.

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He said: “Birth defects now account for almost 8 per cent of all deaths among children under five. More than 90 per cent of children born with serious birth defects live in low- and middle-income countries.”

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He added that an estimated eight million babies are born with birth defects every year worldwide, stressing the need for stronger screening systems and timely treatment.

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According to him, access to screening and treatment remains limited in many countries despite evidence that early detection significantly improves outcomes.

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He said: “No child should miss the chance for a healthy future because a congenital condition was not detected early enough,” Ghebreyesus said, emphasising the importance of strengthening national screening systems.

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The WHO chief noted that conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, sickle-cell disease, hearing impairment and certain metabolic disorders can be treated effectively if detected early through screening.

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He also highlighted global disparities in screening coverage, noting that while some countries screen for more than 50 conditions, others have no newborn screening programmes at all.

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Ghebreyesus said countries should begin with priority conditions based on national disease burdens and expand gradually as capacity improves.

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He said: “The report shows birth defects account for a growing proportion of under-five deaths. Between 2000 and 2023, their share rose from one per cent to four per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.”

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“From three per cent to 11 per cent in South Asia. Part of this shift reflects genuine progress reducing deaths from infectious and other preventable causes, making birth defects a larger share.”

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He urged governments to integrate newborn screening into routine healthcare and universal health coverage systems.

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Ghebreyesus cited examples of countries implementing large-scale screening programmes, including Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uganda, which have expanded screening coverage through national health systems and targeted programmes.

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“The report was informed by a global WHO consultation involving government representatives, technical experts, clinicians, researchers, professional associations, civil society groups and families affected by birth defects.”

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