Newborn screening: experience of Bangladesh.

Newborn screening for early diagnosis of many preventable diseases is already an established program in developed countries as well as in some countries in Asia. With the control of infectious and communicable diseases, the Bangladesh government is now giving more attention to the preventive aspect of health. The country is now preparing to adopt newborn screening as part of the preventive aspect of health. Among the various activities are laboratory set up, expert visits, pilot studies on CH and training of personnel. A national project to screen newborns for congenital hypothyroidism is now under active consideration. A universal newborn screening program is a highly ambitious project for a country like Bangladesh. Funds to run such a program will be the main problem. The social pattern where still more than 80% of deliveries are done at home is another constraint. However, the enthusiasm of the professionals as well as of the government is a very encouraging thing. Now it needs the support of the international communities.