Neonatal Screening

A heel prick is used to take a sample of blood from practically all newborns in the Netherlands to screen them for three disorders: phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) and adrenogenital syndrome (AGS). Early diagnosis is necessary with metabolic diseases of this kind so that timely treatment can be given to prevent irreversible damage to health. Parents can also be informed about the likelihood of a repetition with any subsequent child.

Committee

• Dr GCML Page-Christiaens, gynaecologist, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, Chairman
• Prof. MF Niermeijer, Professor of Clinical Genetics; University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Vice Chairman
• Prof. MC Cornel, Professor of Community Genetics; VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Prof. JCJ Dute, Professor of Health Law; Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam
• Dr AH van Gennip, clinical chemist; University of Maastricht
• RM den Hartog-van Ter Tholen, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, adviser
• Prof. HSA Heymans, Professor of Paediatrics; Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam
• Dr JG Loeber, biochemist; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven
• Dr GPA Smit, pediatrician; Groningen University Hospital (AZG)
• Dr MF Verweij, ethicist; Utrecht University
• Dr PA Bolhuis, The Health Council, The Hague, Secretary