Saving Lives from Day One: Celebrating 60 Years of Newborn Screening

Miracles happen every day and it’s an honor when we can celebrate them. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the start of newborn screening in the United States. The program identifies infants with specific genetic conditions that are asymptomatic at birth and ensures they can receive prompt, lifesaving medical interventions. Over its lifespan, the program has saved countless lives. New research and technological advancements have allowed for innovation and enhanced abilities to screen for certain disorders. Today, newborn screening has evolved into one of the most effective public health programs in the country and its impact won’t stop anytime soon. On this 60th anniversary, experts are celebrating successes while still trying to improve current processes. “False positives are the Achilles’ heel of newborn screening. I know we always think about not missing a case, but the harms are almost all associated with telling a parent their child is positive when they aren’t. Some of these treatments are time critical,” says Ned Calonge, MD, one of our guests on today’s episode and the Chief Medical Officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.  

Dr. Calonge is joined by Stacey Martiniano, MD, a physician here at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Gregory Bonn, the Colorado newborn screening program manager. They are three experts behind some of the early intervention that ensures every child can live the healthiest life possible. “My favorite part is helping them stay as healthy as possible, live full lives and keeping that relationship with them throughout their childhood and young adulthood,” Dr. Martiniano says. 

Some highlights from today’s episode include:  

• Variations of newborn screening programs in different states and countries
• How technology has advanced what's possible to identify and treat
• The history of how the program was created
• What's on the horizon for newborn screening

For more information on Children’s Hospital Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org