Aspectos gerais da triagem neonatal no Brasil: uma revisão

Abstract

Neonatal screening includes hearing, ocular, cardiac and blood screening. The latter, popularly known as the Feet Test, can be defined as a set of laboratory tests performed by analyzing blood samples collected from the babys heel. It has the purpose of early detection of diseases with the potential to cause irreversible damage to it. In 2001, the National Program for Neonatal Screening (PNTN) was created in Brazil, which increased the number of screened diseases so far (Phenylketonuria and Congenital Hypothyroidism) and expanded the process to include, besides the laboratory examination, confirmation, treatment and follow up of patients. The PNTN happened through four phases, the last one involving the screening of six diseases by the Unified Health System (SUS). Neonatal Screening Reference Services (SRTN) in each state are responsible for conducting the test. This review will address the general aspects of neonatal blood screening in Brazil and the six diseases that are currently screened when performed by the SUS.