
Newborn Screening Explained: How a Few Drops Save Lives
From Pediatrics Now for Parents by pediatricsnowforparents
December 29, 2025 · 8 min · Episode 109
About this episode
Host Holly Wayment interviews Dr. Alice Gong about the importance and process of newborn screening.
Host Holly Wayment interviews Dr. Alice Gong where she explains explains newborn screening: a few drops of blood (done at 24–48 hours and again at 7–14 days in Texas) detect dozens of conditions early so babies who look well can get life-saving treatment. The episode covers blood screening, hearing and critical congenital heart disease checks, common conditions like PKU, new treatments such as gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, and the importance of timely follow-up with your pediatrician.
People in this episode
Host: Holly Wayment
Guest: Dr. Alice Gong
Topics covered
- newborn screening
- blood screening
- hearing checks
- critical congenital heart disease
- gene therapy
- pediatric care
Keywords
- newborn screening
- blood tests
- PKU
- gene therapy
- pediatrician follow-up
- critical congenital heart disease
- early detection
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Texas, PKU, spinal muscular atrophy
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