The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand

Expanded newborn screening (NBS) programs are essential for early detection and treatment. This study highlights the implementation of an expanded NBS program for inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in rural Thailand, focusing on Health Regions 7 and 8 as a model fo...

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Main Authors: Khunton Wichajarn, Nopporn Sawatjui, Prinya Prasongdee, Amrin Panklin, Kanda Sornkayasit, Natchita Chungkanchana, Supharada Tessiri, Preawwalee Wintachai, Sumalai Dechyotin, Chalanda Pasomboon, Jilawaporn Ratanapontee, Sureerat Thanakitsuwan, Aree Rattanathongkom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Neonatal Screening
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2409-515X/11/2/26
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author Khunton Wichajarn
Nopporn Sawatjui
Prinya Prasongdee
Amrin Panklin
Kanda Sornkayasit
Natchita Chungkanchana
Supharada Tessiri
Preawwalee Wintachai
Sumalai Dechyotin
Chalanda Pasomboon
Jilawaporn Ratanapontee
Sureerat Thanakitsuwan
Aree Rattanathongkom
author_facet Khunton Wichajarn
Nopporn Sawatjui
Prinya Prasongdee
Amrin Panklin
Kanda Sornkayasit
Natchita Chungkanchana
Supharada Tessiri
Preawwalee Wintachai
Sumalai Dechyotin
Chalanda Pasomboon
Jilawaporn Ratanapontee
Sureerat Thanakitsuwan
Aree Rattanathongkom
author_sort Khunton Wichajarn
collection DOAJ
description Expanded newborn screening (NBS) programs are essential for early detection and treatment. This study highlights the implementation of an expanded NBS program for inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in rural Thailand, focusing on Health Regions 7 and 8 as a model for resource-limited settings. Using the KKU-IEM web-based platform, the program streamlined workflows, integrating logistics, real-time sample tracking, and electronic data management. Regular training sessions, continuous feedback, and systematic monitoring improved outcomes. Starting from October 2022, the program covered 98.6% of 123,692 live births, identifying 101 CH cases (1 in 1208 live births) and 20 IEM cases (1 in 6100 live births). The CH incidence was slightly higher than Thailand’s national average, while the IEM incidence was double that found in a previous Bangkok pilot study. Six cases highlighted maternal conditions affecting outcomes. Process improvements reduced the average reporting time from 9.13 days in 2023 to 8.4 days in 2024, with a 19% reduction in Bueng Kan Province. Efficiencies were driven by electronic ordering, real-time tracking, and stakeholder collaboration. This program demonstrates a scalable model for rural settings, emphasizing technology integration, collaboration, and quality control. Future efforts should refine diagnostics, expand disease coverage, and enhance long-term outcomes.
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series International Journal of Neonatal Screening
spelling doaj-art-0bfced01c9514694a4f7ca7680eb1b962025-08-20T03:24:36ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Neonatal Screening2409-515X2025-04-011122610.3390/ijns11020026The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in ThailandKhunton Wichajarn0Nopporn Sawatjui1Prinya Prasongdee2Amrin Panklin3Kanda Sornkayasit4Natchita Chungkanchana5Supharada Tessiri6Preawwalee Wintachai7Sumalai Dechyotin8Chalanda Pasomboon9Jilawaporn Ratanapontee10Sureerat Thanakitsuwan11Aree Rattanathongkom12Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Precision Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandClinical Laboratory Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Precision Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Precision Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDivision of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandExpanded newborn screening (NBS) programs are essential for early detection and treatment. This study highlights the implementation of an expanded NBS program for inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in rural Thailand, focusing on Health Regions 7 and 8 as a model for resource-limited settings. Using the KKU-IEM web-based platform, the program streamlined workflows, integrating logistics, real-time sample tracking, and electronic data management. Regular training sessions, continuous feedback, and systematic monitoring improved outcomes. Starting from October 2022, the program covered 98.6% of 123,692 live births, identifying 101 CH cases (1 in 1208 live births) and 20 IEM cases (1 in 6100 live births). The CH incidence was slightly higher than Thailand’s national average, while the IEM incidence was double that found in a previous Bangkok pilot study. Six cases highlighted maternal conditions affecting outcomes. Process improvements reduced the average reporting time from 9.13 days in 2023 to 8.4 days in 2024, with a 19% reduction in Bueng Kan Province. Efficiencies were driven by electronic ordering, real-time tracking, and stakeholder collaboration. This program demonstrates a scalable model for rural settings, emphasizing technology integration, collaboration, and quality control. Future efforts should refine diagnostics, expand disease coverage, and enhance long-term outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-515X/11/2/26expanded newborn screeninginborn errors of metabolismcongenital hypothyroidismrural healthcareThailand
spellingShingle Khunton Wichajarn
Nopporn Sawatjui
Prinya Prasongdee
Amrin Panklin
Kanda Sornkayasit
Natchita Chungkanchana
Supharada Tessiri
Preawwalee Wintachai
Sumalai Dechyotin
Chalanda Pasomboon
Jilawaporn Ratanapontee
Sureerat Thanakitsuwan
Aree Rattanathongkom
The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand
International Journal of Neonatal Screening
expanded newborn screening
inborn errors of metabolism
congenital hypothyroidism
rural healthcare
Thailand
title The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand
title_full The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand
title_fullStr The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand
title_full_unstemmed The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand
title_short The Establishment of Expanded Newborn Screening in Rural Areas of a Developing Country: A Model from Health Regions 7 and 8 in Thailand
title_sort establishment of expanded newborn screening in rural areas of a developing country a model from health regions 7 and 8 in thailand
topic expanded newborn screening
inborn errors of metabolism
congenital hypothyroidism
rural healthcare
Thailand
url https://www.mdpi.com/2409-515X/11/2/26
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