title: The development and organization of newborn screening programs in Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Newborn screening tests have been designed to identify infants with severe disorders that are relatively prevalent and treatable or controllable. Comparing to other countries, the incidence of these diseases are very high in Turkey where the rate of consanguineous marriage is high.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article, it is aimed to evaluate the development and organization of newborn screening programs in Turkey which include phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and biotinidase deficiency screenings. The point reached today, limitations of the program, expectations and projects for the future are discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Today, the point reached in screening programs of the country is appreciable. While the screening rate of the live born babies was 4,7% in 1987, this rate reached to 95% by 2008. Predicted target for newborn screening program at the strategic plan of Ministry of Health for 2010-2014 was to enhance this rate above 95% by the end of 2012. It seems that the envisaged goal has been reached.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  National newborn screening program appears to be conducted successfully and extensively as a result of political determination and performance of health care workers who are in charge of this program. Nevertheless, limited numbers of the nutrition and metabolism clinics and specialists on these branches have caused some access difficulties, waste of time, and financial loss. Therefore, special planning to improve quality and the number of the clinics would be useful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Public Health Institution of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Başak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tezel
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dilli
authors.forename: Hilal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bolat
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahman
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozbaş
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Acıcan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ertek
authors.forename: Mehmet Rıfat
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Köse
authors.forename: Uğur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dilmen
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D014421:Turkey
keywords: biotinidase deficiency; congenital hypothyroidism; newborn screening; phenylketonuria