Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

Newborn Screening Awareness Month – September 2024

Newborn Screening Awareness Month takes place in September, a time of the year that focuses on spreading awareness regarding several tests that need to be conducted on newborns. These tests are essential as they help in identifying several diseases that may not be evident at first, but could become life-threatening if left untreated for long. This is why each year, over four million babies are screened at hospitals routinely, 24 to 48 hours after delivery. The result? Diseases are detected and treated. This year, you too can play a role in spreading awareness regarding Newborn Screening. You may just end up saving dozens of lives.

History of Newborn Screening Awareness Month

Though newborn screening is compulsory in today’s time, and infants across the U.S are tested soon after birth, the situation was different before the 1960s. Babies would often die a few days or weeks after birth due to underlying conditions that took time to emerge. As the years passed, doctors and scientists realized that the infant mortality rate could be controlled if the diseases and ailments were detected early on. Thus, newborn screening emerged in the 1960s to check babies for serious, rare, but treatable conditions. The tests are conducted with the help of a blood test, hearing test, and heart screening.

After the advantages of newborn screening entered the limelight, nearly every state in the U.S made it compulsory to conduct the tests. Today, it is amongst the most effective, equitable public health programs that screen every child born in the country. In the 1960s, there was only one condition that an infant was tested for. Today, 35 diseases are looked into as prescribed by the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP). These conditions have been formally recommended by the Health Resources Services Administration (H.R.S.A.).

Moreover, the RUSP continues to add conditions to the list as diseases emerge with time. For instance, spinal muscular atrophy (S.M.A.) was added in 2018. With the help of these tests, diseases are detected in over 12,000 infants annually. Some of these conditions include phenylketonuria (P.K.U.), cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, critical congenital heart disease, hearing loss, and others.

Newborn Screening Awareness Month timeline

1960s
Disease Detection

Robert Guthrie develops a blood test that can detect whether newborns have phenylketonuria (P.K.U.).

1968
The Outline

J.M.G. Wilson and F. Jungner establish criteria for screening tests.

2008
New Beginnings

President George W. Bush signs the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007.

2011
Test Up

All states in the U.S start testing for 26 disorders.

Newborn Screening Awareness Month FAQs

How accurate is newborn screening?

It is accurate from a ratio of 0.5% to 6.0%.

When do you take newborns for a screening?

The screening is done when the child is a day or two old.

Why do newborn babies need to have a screening?

Diagnosis at an early stage is beneficial for the infant’s health.

How to Observe Newborn Screening Awareness Month

  1. Make a donation

    Numerous hospitals and organizations are still conducting studies to locate different diseases that are found in newborns and how they can be cured. Donate to the cause and help save lives.

  2. Spread awareness

    Spread awareness regarding the month in any way that you can. This includes posting on social media and having discussions on online forums to reach out to as many people as possible.

  3. Convince a doctor to host a seminar

    Speak to a doctor in your area and ask him/her to host a seminar so parents who are about to have a baby may understand the importance of newborn screening. This may help save a life.

5 Interesting Facts About Newborn Screening

  1. Babies screened

    Four million babies are born and screened each year.

  2. Those who can skip the screening

    The newborn screening is skipped only if the parent cites religious reasons.

  3. C.D.C’s view

    Newborn screening is amongst the 10 most important public health achievements of the century.

  4. Number of tests available

    There are tests for 60 disorders.

  5. Diseases identified

    Conditions are identified in 5,000 babies yearly.

Why Newborn Screening Awareness Month is Important

  1. It helps detect diseases

    The month is important because it supports newborn screening and encourages people to get all the required tests done to help keep their baby out of harm's way. This month, more research is being conducted to spot diseases that are still ignored.

  2. It spreads awareness

    The month helps spread awareness regarding different diseases that infants suffer from, as well as the different cures that can be opted for once the disease is detected. This is especially helpful for pregnant parents.

  3. It saves lives

    Due to the awareness created throughout the month regarding newborn screening and various diseases, parents are quick to act when a problem is highlighted during a test. This helps in saving the lives of numerous infants.

Newborn Screening Awareness Month dates

YearDateDay
2024September 1Sunday
2025September 1Monday
2026September 1Tuesday
2027September 1Wednesday
2028September 1Friday
Legacy Week
National Crime Prevention Week
National Waffle Week
Acne Positivity Day
American Chess Day
Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day
Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day
Cherry Popover Day
Chicken Boy Day
Chicken Boy Day
Emma M Nutt Day
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day
National Little Black Dress Day
National Monterey County Fair Day
National-No-Rhyme-Nor-Reason-Day
National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day
National Pet Rock Day
National Pet Rock Day
National Tofu Day
Pink Cadillac Day
Slovakia Constitution Day
Uzbekistan Independence Day
Wattle Day
Wattle Day
World Letter Writing Day
Animal Pain Awareness Month
Attendance Awareness Month
Baby Safety Month
Bear Necessities Month
Better Breakfast Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Bourbon Heritage Month
Bourbon Heritage Month
Childhood-Cancer-Awareness
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Civil Service Month
Classical Music Month
Classical Music Month
Disaster Preparedness Month
Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
Footy Colors Day
Footy Colors Day
Global Company Culture Month
Gynecologic-Cancer-Awareness
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Happy Cat Month
Healthy Aging Month
Intergeneration Month
Irish Heart Month
ITP Awareness Month
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
Liptember
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National Chicken Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Condiment Month
National Food Safety Education Month
National Guide Dog Month
National Honey Month
National Organic Month
National Papaya Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month
National Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month
National Pet Insurance Month
National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month
National Recovery Month
National Save a Tiger Month
National Service Dog Month
National Sewing Month
Newborn Screening Awareness Month
Oddfellows Friendship Month
Organic September
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Pain Awareness Month
PCOS Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Education Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month
Rule of Law Month
Save Your Photos Month
Self Improvement Month
Sexual Health Awareness Month
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sourdough September
Sports Eye Safety Month
Suicide Prevention Month
Urology Awareness Month
Vascular Disease Awareness Month
Velociraptor Awareness Month
World Alzheimer's Month
World Animal Remembrance Month
World Candle Month
World Fun Fair Month
Yoga Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.