ABOUT US

The Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) began in 1990 as the Medical Genetics Unit of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine which in 1999 became as one of the service and research oriented institutes of the National Institutes of Health-University of the Philippines Manila (NIH-UP). Since then all services of the Medical Genetics Unit were transferred to the Institute and is now the largest provider of genetic services in the country.

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Newborn Screening Center - NIH

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The Newborn Screening Center – NIH, being the first Department of Health (DOH) accredited Newborn Screening Center in the country, screens for 29+ metabolic and other congenital disorders to prevent mental retardation and death. The center not only functions as a screening laboratory but also has a Follow Up Section responsible for short term recall and follow up of positive screened cases until confirmation and management of the disorders. Soon as confirmed, the center endorses the cases to the Continuity Clinics for long term follow up care. Currently, NSC-NIH receives samples from all birthing facilities in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) and Region V (BICOL). Beginning January 2019, ENBS is included in the Newborn Care Package of PhilHealth.

 

 

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Screenshot taken from PhilHealth Circular 2018-0021:

Enhancement of Philhealth Newborn Care Package.  Read more about the circular here. Non-PhilHealth members may avail of ENBS at Php1,750.00.

Expanded Newborn Screening allows the detection of more genetic disorders which includes the following:
  • Glucose-6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
  • Congenital Hypothyroidism
  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
  • Galactosemia
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Maple Syrup Urine Disease
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Biotinidase Deficiency
  • Organic Acid Disorders
  • Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders
  • Amino Acid Disorders
  • Urea Cycle Disorders
  • Hemoglobin Disorders
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT NEWBORN SCREENING

What is newborn screening?
Newborn Screening (NBS) is a simple procedure to find out if your baby has a congenital disorder that may lead to mental retardation or even death if left untreated.
 
What is Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS)?
The expanded newborn screening program increased the screening panel of disorders from six (6) to more than twenty-eight.
 
Why is it important?
Most babies with metabolic disorders  look  “normal”  at birth. By doing ENBS, metabolic disorders may be detected even before clinical signs and symptoms are present. As a result of this, treatment can be given early to prevent consequences of untreated conditions.*
When is it done?
ENBS is ideally done immediately after 24 hours from birth.
 
How is it done?
A few drops of blood are taken from the baby’s heel, blotted on a special absorbent filter card and then sent to Newborn Screening Center (NSC).
 
Who will collect the sample for ENBS?
The blood sample for ENBS may be collected by any of the following: physician, nurse, medical technologist or trained midwife.
 
Where is ENBS available?
ENBS is available in hospitals, lying-ins, rural health units, health centers and some private clinics.
 
How much is ENBS?
Expanded newborn screening costs ₱1750 and is included in the Newborn Care Package (NCP) for PhilHealth members.
 
What is Newborn Care Package?
NCP is a PhilHealth benefit package for essential health services of the newborn during the first few days of life. It covers essential newborn care, expanded newborn screening, and hearing screening tests.
 
What are the eligibility conditions for newborn to avail of the NCP?
Newborns are eligible for NCP if ALL of the following are met:
   • Either of the parents are eligible to avail of the benefits,
   • Born in accredited facilities that perform deliveries, such as hospitals and birthing homes; and
   • Services were availed of upon delivery.
 
How can results be claimed?
Results can be claimed from the health facility where ENBS was availed. Normal ENBS results are available by 7 - 14 working days from the time samples are received at the NSC.
Positive ENBS results are relayed to the parents immediately by the health facility. Please ensure that the address and phone number you will provide to the health facility are correct.
 
What is the meaning of the newborn screening result?
A NEGATIVE SCREEN means that the ENBS result is normal.
A POSITIVE SCREEN means that the newborn must be brought back to his/her health practitioner for further testing.
 
What must be done when a baby has a positive ENBS result?
Babies with positive results must be referred at once to a specialist for confirmatory testing and further management.
 
What happens to the dried blood samples after screening?
After the dried blood spot has been tested, it will be stored in a secure locked area. The stored sample is retained to allow for normal quality assurance and may be used for ethics committee approved researches for the benefit of the public.
 
*Long term follow-up and management of children with confirmed newborn screening conditions ensure that these children receive the full benefits of early identification through newborn screening

 

Why screen your baby?

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NBS   brochure

Contact the NEWBORN SCREENING CENTER — NIH 

for more information:
Newborn Screening Center—National Institutes of Health
Rm 102, Building H, UP Ayala Land TechnoHub Complex
Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Philippines
Tel Nos. (632) 83760962, 83760964, 83760965, 83760967
Fax No. (632) 89216395
Email: nsc-nih-list@up.edu.ph
Facebook: Newborn Screening Center—NIH
Twitter: @NBSlabph

Purchase Order and Courier concerns: 09285060961
Patient and Results inquiry: 09285060960, 09285596827, 09189295233

 

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National Institutes of Health - University of the Philippines - Manila