Newborn genetic screening is a health program that identifies treatable genetic disorders in newborn infants. Early intervention to treat these disorders can eliminate or reduce symptoms that might otherwise cause a lifetime of disability.
The STAR-G Project has put together fact sheets about disorders commonly screened for by newborn screening. The fact sheets were written specifically for families that have received an initial diagnosis of one of the disorders and want to know more general information. They address issues and answer questions that are of particular concern to parents. Each fact sheet was written by a genetic counselor and reviewed by metabolic and genetic specialists.
Neonatologist Gurvir Khurana had only read about it in textbooks. Seeing it in real life has been a shock: baby after baby born severely anemic, lungs filled with fluid, bodies covered with rashes.
Some only lived minutes; others died within days or weeks.
The cause: congenital syphilis.
Like many newborn mammals, baby mice cry to get their mother's attention. But the mother doesn't instinctively recognize these calls; she must learn the sounds of her offspring-just as human parents must learn the cries of their infants. Now, a team of researchers has discovered that the hormone oxytocin, which has been tied to trust and maternal bonding, holds the key to how this learning occurs. Only after oxytocin tweaks the brain of a female mouse does she respond with a mother's concern and attentiveness to crying pups.
After her two children were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, Sharon Terry dedicated her life to creating systems-level solutions that will alleviate burdens for consumers and build opportunities for them to be empowered in their own health care.
She is the CEO of Genetic Alliance, an international non-profit organization, now in its 25th year, that is the world's largest network of health related organizations working from a consumer perspective. Genetic Alliance builds capacity within the genetics and health community by forging novel partnerships, promoting informed decision-making, and sharing individual, family, and community perspectives.