A Brief History of Newborn Screening

Newborn Screening SPOTlight Podcast

You’re listening to the voice of Dr. Rodney Howell, who is a Professor and Chairman Emeritus of Pediatrics and Emeritus Member of the Hussman Institute for Human Genomics at The Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics as well as the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics in Clinical Biochemical Genetics. Dr. Howell was founding chair of the U.S. Congressionally-mandated Secretary’s Advisory Committee of Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (2004-2011) This is a committee that advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues concerning genetic testing in children. During this time, this committee oversaw the development of the Recommended Uniform Screening NBS Panel (The RUSP). Dr. Howell serves as advisor to Newborn Screening Translation Research Network.

In this episode, you will get a brief history of newborn screening and newborn screening research and the stories of families impacted by newborn screening. Learn how it all got started.

Interview with Dr. Rodney Howell:

1. Newborn screening began in the 1960’s with screening to prevent intellectual disability. What were the important milestones in NBS over the years? How did it all get started?

2. You were integral with the beginning of the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. Can you tell us about the committee and how it fits into NBS?

3. Research discovers new technologies to screen, diagnose and treat newborns. Why is NBS research important?

4. Where do you see NBS and NBS research going in the next ten years? 50 years?

5. What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a career similar to yours?

6. You have been an important advisor to the NBSTRN. What role does NBSTRN play? What role should NBSTRN play?

7. What does NBS research mean to you?

To learn how you can help advance newborn research, advocate for rare disease screening and treatment, and learn about important discoveries, become a member of the Newborn Screening Translational Research Network by visiting our website at www.nbstrn.org.

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Get involved! Stay informed! Help us advance discoveries! Together, let’s increase the impact of newborn screening research by listening to your stories.