Universal newborn screening: Implementation guidance

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) released updated postnatal care guidelines “Recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience”. For the first time, WHO addressed the aspects of discharge readiness, discharge preparation, and universal screening of newborns as part of the updated guidance.

THREE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UNIVERSAL SCREENING TO ENSURE OPTIMAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL NEWBORNS

1-Universal newborn hearing screening for permanent bilateral hearing loss

2-Universal newborn screening for abnormalities of the eye

4-Universal screening for newborn hyperbilirubinemia at discharge