Compulsory screening for Italian newborns:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Italy has introduced compulsory screening for hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria in newborns, according to a report in the August 14 issue of The Lancet. Blood tests will be carried out between the third and fifth day after birth and the samples will be forwarded to a regional screening centre within 48 hours. The centres, which are each expected to process at least 60,000 samples a year, will also offer counselling to parents who are symptom-free carriers of genetic defects. The initiative also includes early diagnosis of congenital malformations and experimental screening for cystic fibrosis.