Newborn CF Screening Tied to Lower Health Costs in 1st Year of Life

Newborn CF screening tied to lower health costs in 1st year of life

Among methods used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF) in France, newborn screening (NBS) was associated with the lowest healthcare expenses during the first year of life, according to a large, population-based study. Fewer inpatient hospitalizations primarily drove the lower costs when infants were diagnosed via NBS, the data showed. “Our study adds new knowledge of direct HC [healthcare] costs involved in young [CF children] and shows that diagno…

Making A Case for Genomic Newborn Screening in India

The genomic newborn screening initiative is gaining momentum across the world, with large-scale programmes now under way in the U.S., the UK, Europe, and Australia. At least 1.7 million babies in India are born every year with birth defects, many of which are due to genetic conditions. Almost 1 in 250 children have a 250treatable genetic disease. Yet, genetic screening at birth almost does not exist in the public healthcare system in India