title: Neonatal screening and monitoring system in Taiwan.
abstract: Neonatal screening in Taiwan started as a pilot program in 1981. The coverage rate increased to 90% in 1990, and is currently more than 99%. Five diseases are covered in the screening program including congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, homocystinuria, galactosemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. A monitoring system was established at the same time to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment for positive cases. Neonatal screening is not compulsory by law in Taiwan, but the government is very concerned about it. New tests for neonatal screening have recently been included as pilot programs. Parents of the newborns have to pay for these tests, for which informed consent has to be given. These additional tests include screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and tandem mass screening. The results of these pilot programs will be offered to the government for policy decision-making in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Wuh-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hwu
authors.forename: Ai-Chu
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jui-San
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kwang-Jen
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Wen-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D003409:Congenital Hypothyroidism; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011635:Public Health Administration; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology