BC announces expanded newborn screening program

According to a news release distributed by the Provincial Health Services Authority on Dec. 4, 2009, newborns in British Columbia will now be screened for more treatable metabolic diseases and other medical conditions. That's good news for future moms-to-be. Here's an excerpt from the release:

The BC Newborn Screening Program, a service of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), has expanded screening from six to 18 disorders, using the same simple blood sample already collected shortly after birth. Over the coming year, the program will screen about 40,000 newborns in B.C. and will likely identify about 40 babies with one of these 18 treatable conditions. In October 2010, a 19th disorder (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) will be added to the list of screened conditions for newborns. This follows through on a commitment made by Premier Campbell in July 2008 for the additional screening tests.

"This program provides newborn babies in British Columbia with their best chance for a healthy life, right from the start," said Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport. "With specialized treatment, newborns identified with these disorders can avoid serious complications, such as development problems, liver malfunction, brain damage, respiratory problems and even the risk of sudden death."

Here's a list of the treatable disorders that will be screened for among newborns in BC since the expansion of the program:
1. Congenital hypothyroidism
2. Galactosemia
3. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
4. Glutaric Aciduria Type I (GA-I)
5. Medium-chain Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD)
6. Long-chain Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHAD)
7. Very-long chain AcylCoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCAD)
8. Citrullinemia
9. Tyrosinemia I
10. Homocystinuria (including second-tier testing)
11. Argininosuccinic Acidemia
12. Isovaleric Acidemia
13. Maple Syrup Urine Disease (including second-tier testing)
14. Propionic Acidemia (including second-tier testing)
15. Methylmalonic Acidemia (including second-tier testing)
16. Cobalamin disorders (CblA,B) (including second-tier testing)
17. Cystic Fibrosis
18. Sickle Cell Disease
19. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia