TY - JOUR T1 - Saudi newborn screening. A national public health program: needs, costs, and challenges JF - Saudi Medical Journal JO - Saudi Med J SP - 1167 LP - 1170 VL - 28 IS - 8 AU - Ashraf M. Afifi AU - Mohammad A. Abdul-Jabbar Y1 - 2007/08/01 UR - http://smj.org.sa/content/28/8/1167.abstract N2 - A Saudi newborn screening program is important to the half million Saudi children born each year in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a coordinated and comprehensive system consisting of education, screening, diagnosis, treatment and management, follow-up, and program evaluation. The Saudi newborn population should benefit from this program and affected infants will be diagnosed early, and managed effectively. Both cost effectiveness, and cost benefit justifications are presented. Funding for the program can be a public health challenge. We offered recommendations to achieve this vital program. ER -