The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to expand newborn screening programmes, saying early detection and treatment of birth defects can save lives and reduce lifelong disability globally.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the call on Tuesday while presenting a new report highlighting newborn screening as a critical strategy for improving child survival and reducing preventable deaths worldwide.
According to Ghebreyesus, the report identifies strengthening newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects as a major opportunity for accelerating progress on child survival and improving health outcomes for children.
He said an estimated eight million babies are born with a birth defect annually worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for stronger screening systems, improved diagnosis and timely treatment interventions globally.
“Birth defects now account for almost 8 per cent of all deaths among children under five. More than 90 per cent of children born with serious birth defects live in low- and middle-income countries.”
According to him, access to screening, diagnosis and treatment remains limited in many countries, in spite of evidence showing that early detection significantly improves outcomes and prevents complications associated with congenital conditions.
He said conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, sickle-cell disease, hearing impairment and certain metabolic disorders could be successfully treated when identified shortly after birth through effective screening programmes.
The WHO chief, however, noted that millions of children were diagnosed too late or never received treatment, missing the critical period when medical intervention was most effective for recovery.
“No child should miss the chance for a healthy future because a congenital condition was not detected early enough,” Ghebreyesus said, emphasising the importance of strengthening national screening systems.
He said that evidence from several countries demonstrated that screening newborns for one or more conditions could save lives, prevent disability and help children achieve their full potential.
Ghebreyesus said significant disparities existed globally, with some countries screening all newborns for more than 50 conditions, while others remained unable to provide screening for any condition.
He encouraged countries to begin newborn screening with priority conditions relevant to national disease burdens and gradually expand programmes as technical capacity, infrastructure and resources improve over time.
“The report shows birth defects account for a growing proportion of under-five deaths. Between 2000 and 2023, their share rose from one per cent to four per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.”
“From three per cent to 11 per cent in South Asia. Part of this shift reflects genuine progress reducing deaths from infectious and other preventable causes, making birth defects a larger share.”
According to him, the report is intended to guide ministries of health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in identifying priority conditions for screening based on local needs.
He urged governments to integrate newborn screening, diagnosis and treatment into routine healthcare services and universal health coverage programmes to ensure equitable access for all newborns.
Ghebreyesus highlighted examples of successful implementation, noting that Argentina achieved near-universal newborn screening coverage through health system integration and strengthened coordination across healthcare facilities nationwide.
“Brazil expanded nationwide screening for multiple life-threatening conditions as part of routine newborn care. Egypt’s ‘newborn care pathway’ integrates universal newborn screening for hearing and congenital hypothyroidism.
“India’s national programme screened more than 28 million children over three years, identifying about 900,000 with a birth defect and linking them to care,.
“The Philippines scaled from a 24-hospital pilot to more than 7,000 facilities screening for 29 conditions, with coverage mandated by law and included in national health insurance,” Ghebreyesus said.
According to him, Sri Lanka integrated screening for visible birth defects and congenital hypothyroidism, reaching approximately 80 per cent of newborns through its national maternal and child health programme.
He said Uganda implemented a state-led sickle-cell disease screening programme in high-burden areas, enabling early diagnosis of infants and provision of lifesaving treatment and follow-up services.
“The report was informed by a global WHO consultation involving government representatives, technical experts, clinicians, researchers, professional associations, civil society groups and families affected by birth defects.”