Tuesday March 19th, 2024
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National Initiative Tests 60,000 Newborns for Heritable Diseases

During its first phase, the initiative covers the early detection and treatment of 19 genetic diseases, including congenital hypothydroidism, folic anaemia, and cystic fibrosis.

Cairo Scene

The Ministry of Health has examined 60,000 children as part of a presidential initiative, pushing for the early detection of genetic diseases in newborns.


During its first phase, the initiative covers the early detection and treatment of 19 genetic diseases, including congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, folic anaemia, cystic fibrosis, hereditary hyperlipidaemia, phenylketonuria, and tetraplegic deficiency hydropetrin.


The examination is carried out with a blood test, which would be analysed at the Egyptian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. If the sample yields positive for a genetic disease, the child is referred for a confirmatory test and then, depending on the result, will receive up-to-date treatment. The Ministry of Health has allocated 25 centres for these treatments.