The Development and Organization of Newborn Screening Programs in Turkey

Abstract

National newborn screening program appears to be conducted successfully and extensively as a result of political determination and performance of health care workers who are in charge of this program. Nevertheless, limited numbers of the nutrition and metabolism clinics and specialists on these branches have caused some access difficulties, waste of time, and financial loss. Therefore, special planning to improve quality and the number of the clinics would be useful.

Transition to motherhood in women with an infant with special care needs

“…Programmes that include a rigorous preparation process for the birth of a baby with a congenital illness as well as programmes that include postnatal follow‐up and evaluation are needed (Kayhan ; Tezel et al. ). This situation is a big gap in Turkey's health policies.…”

“…However, no special applications are made in these surveys for congenitally abnormal infants and their mothers in Turkey (Karabulut et al 2016). Programmes that include a rigorous preparation process for the birth of a baby with a congenital illness as well as programmes that include postnatal follow-up and evaluation are needed (Kayhan 2016;Tezel et al 2014). This situation is a big gap in Turkey's health policies.…”

Late-diagnosed phenylketonuria in an eight-year-old boy with dyslexia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…Our patient, M.H. was born in 2006, when national newborn screening coverage rate was 86.3% 12 . The chance of diagnosis was unfortunately missed until his brother was born eight years later.…”

Inborn Errors of Metabolism as Mimickers of Pediatric Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Phenylketonuria as an Example

“…He was somehow missed by the newborn screening program in 2006, when coverage rate was around 86% [6]. He had seen a child mental health specialist for hyperactive behaviour, poor school performance and difficulty in reading and writing, and was prescribed methylphenidate with no obvious benefit.…”

“…In Turkey, screening of newborns for PKU has been initiated in 1983 as a pilot study and expanded nationwide in 1993 with 50-60% coverage [3]. Screening by the Ministry of Health with coverage up to 95% and more stringent recording protocols has been in effect since 2006 [6].…”