WHO pushes for wider newborn screening to boost early defects detection and care
By Cynthia Lodite, June 24, 2026The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects, highlighting how early detection and treatment can save lives and reduce lifelong disability for millions of children.
A new WHO report on strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects has identified newborn screening as an important opportunity to accelerate progress in child survival.
“Many conditions can be successfully treated if identified early after birth. These include congenital hypothyroidism, sickle-cell disease, hearing impairment and some metabolic disorders. Yet millions of children are still diagnosed too late or never receive treatment at all,” WHO stated.
According to WHO, worldwide, an estimated eight million babies are born with a birth defect each year, and birth defects now account for almost 8% of all deaths among children under five.
At the same time, WHO states that an estimated 90% of children born with serious birth defects live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to screening, diagnosis and treatment remains limited.
“No child should miss the chance for a healthy future because a congenital condition was not detected early enough,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.
“Around the world, countries are showing that newborn screening for one or more conditions can save lives, prevent disability, and give a newborn the best opportunity to fulfil his or her potential,” he added.
Increased need for screening
The gap between countries is stark: some countries screen all newborns for more than 50 conditions, while others are unable to screen for any.
“WHO encourages every country to begin newborn screening starting with a priority condition in the country and progressively expanding as capacity grows,”WHO stated.
The report shows that birth defects account for a growing proportion of under-five deaths in many regions.
Between 2000 and 2023, the proportion of under-five deaths attributable to birth defects increased from 1% to 4% in sub-Saharan Africa and from 3% to 11% in South Asia. Part of this shift reflects genuine progress in the reduction of deaths from infectious and other preventable causes.
On the other hand, the WHO has explained that the new report aims to support ministries of health, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to prioritise conditions for newborn screening depending on the country context.