According to researchers in Sweden, medical technology may be out-advancing medical guidelines. Advanced in medical technology have made it easier to screen newborns for PID (primary immunodeficiency disease), but guidelines for newborn screenings rarely include these diseases in the normal screening process. Researchers from a variety of hospitals in Sweden gathered to discuss the current screening processes, changes in other countries and potential changes that could benefit the newborn.
The three main concerns were SCID (severe combined immunodeficiencies), primary agammaglobulinemia and inherited hemophagocytic syndromes. The United States played a large part in the discussion as US hospitals have changed newborn screening guidelines to include SCID testing with good results on various populations.
Concluding: Swedish researchers believe the US is a good role model in terms of adding PID testing to newborn screening protocols. Screening early for immunodeficiency diseases can significantly impact on health and may impact lifespan, in certain cases.
Source: Borte S, von Döbeln U, Hammarström L. Guidelines for newborn screening of primary immunodeficiency diseases. Curr Opin Hematol. 2012 Oct 25.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23108220
