Victoria is adding a new test to its newborn screening program to help detect a rare genetic disorder named galactosaemia.
Acting Minister for Health Ingrid Stitt announced the change today, claiming it will help ensure babies get the treatment they need as early as possible.
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Galactosaemia is a condition that prevents the body from properly processing galactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.
If the disorder is left undiagnosed, it can cause serious health problems, including liver disease and cataracts.
“Early testing is an important tool for supporting the health of all Victorian babies, while also giving parents peace of mind,” Stitt said.
By adding this test to the well-known “heel prick test,” doctors can find babies with galactosaemia and start treatment immediately.
With the inclusion of galactosaemia, the Victorian newborn screening program now tests for 32 conditions.
The program is offered to all parents of newborns within the first 72 hours of life at no cost, in order to identify rare health issues early.
“By expanding the newborn screening program, we’re ensuring that rare conditions like galactosaemia are spotted early so that babies get the treatment they need right from the start.”
A 2024 data revealed over 75,000 babies were screened.
This is just the latest addition to the program, which has been running since 1966.
Over 3.6 million babies have been tested, with one in every 1,000 found to have a serious condition like cystic fibrosis or congenital hypothyroidism.
The program has been expanded in recent years, with more than $1 million invested to add tests for other conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and severe combined immunodeficiency.
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