WHO calls for rapid scale-up of newborn screening to detect birth defects early
WHO calls on countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects to enable early detection and treatment, which can save lives and reduce lifelong disability; about 8 million babies are born with birth defects each year and the condition now accounts for about 8% of under-five deaths, with 90% of affected children in low- and middle-income countries where screening access is limited; the agency highlights country progress and urges integrating screening into routine health services and universal health coverage, starting with country-priority conditions and expanding capacity over time.
