In the early 1960s, scientist Robert Guthrie, PhD, developed a blood test that could determine whether newborns had the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). People with PKU lack an enzyme needed to process the amino acid phenylalanine, which is necessary for normal growth in kids and for normal protein use throughout life. However, if too much phenylalanine builds up, it damages the brain tissue and can eventually cause substantial developmental delay. If kids born with PKU are put on a special diet right away, they can avoid the developmental delay the condition caused in past generations and lead normal lives (Lowdermilk, et.al, 2006).
Since the development of the researchers have developed additional blood tests that can screen newborns for other disorders that, unless detected and treated early, can cause physical problems, developmental delay, and in some cases, death.
In worldwide basis, in every 2,389,959 screened 45,283 infants are positive in newborn screening. This hilarious evidence makes every individual more cautious of the lives of the infants. Moreover, even rich people may be vulnerable to this.
In the Philippines, 9.7% of all screened infants are positive to newborn screening as of 2011 based on the Philippine Health Statistics, DOH and Region VII ranked 2nd for most number of positive result of newborn screening.
Problem arouses when parents’ knowledge and attitudes towards newborn screening causes an alteration with the way they provide appropriate care to their newborn. This study wants to identify the knowledge and attitudes of parents undergoing newborn screening. The researchers aim to identify different factors that may alter the knowledge and attitudes of these parents towards their children and to identify the possible solutions for these problems.
In this regard, the researchers aim to determine the knowledge and attitudes of parents with newborn undergoing newborn screening. This goes to