A new WHO report, Strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects, identifies newborn screening as an important opportunity to accelerate progress in child survival.
Worldwide, an estimated 8 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. 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.
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.
It showcases countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas that are already demonstrating the successful integration of large-scale newborn screening programmes into routine health services:
Brazil: Expanded nationwide screening for multiple life-threatening conditions.
India: The national programme has screened more than 28 million children over three years, identifying approximately 900,000 children with a birth defect and connecting them with diagnosis, treatment and support, including long term care and rehabilitation services through district early intervention centres.
Sri Lanka: Newborn screening is integrated into routine care and includes visible birth defects and congenital hypothyroidism. Around 80% of newborns are now screened for congenital hypothyroidism.
WHO is urging governments to integrate newborn screening, diagnosis and treatment into routine health services and universal health coverage programmes, beginning with conditions that are country priorities, and that can be effectively detected and feasibly managed within their health system.
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“Together for health. Stand with science”, the theme of World Health Day 2026, marks a year-long campaign to highlight science as the foundation for protecting health and well-being worldwide.
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