en 
The 65,600 children born in Portugal in the first ten months of the year, represent the lowest value ever for the same period, according to data from the Ricardo Jorge National Institute based on neonatal screening.
Until October 31, 2021, 65,637 newborns were screened under the National Neonatal Screening Program (PNRN), 6,082 less than the same period last year (71,719), according to data released by the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).
The greatest number of babies screened was observed in the districts of Lisbon (19,496) and Porto (12,182), followed by Setúbal (4,879) and Braga (4,821).
On the other hand, Bragança (421), Portalegre (490) and Guarda (519) were the districts with the fewest newborns studied.
Since 1979, the National Neonatal Screening Program, which covers almost all births, has been carrying out screening tests for some serious diseases in all newborns, the so-called “little foot test”.
The panel of screened diseases is made up of 26 pathologies: congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis and 24 hereditary metabolic diseases, the examination being carried out by collecting blood droplets from the child's foot.
The goal is to diagnose some serious diseases that are clinically difficult to identify in the first weeks of life, and which later on can cause severe neurological disorders, liver disorders or even coma situations.
The test must be carried out between the third and sixth day of the newborn's life, because before the third day the values of existing markers in the baby's blood may have no diagnostic value, and after the sixth day some markers lose sensitivity.
English
Nederlands
Deutsch
Français
Español
Italiano
Svenska
Pусский
Română
中文
Türkçe
हिन्दी
Português
Українська
اردو
Polski
عربي
Suomi
עִברִית
Afrikaans
Not surprising. Who wants to bring a child into this dystopian world?
By SS from Algarve on 27 Nov 2021, 18:22
Why bring a child in to a world where democracy is fast evaporating? If I were younger, I would not consider, for one second, being a parent.
By Ian from Lisbon on 28 Nov 2021, 09:57
Instead of counter balancing the exodus of native populations from the Portuguese poorer interior lands to foreign countries and Portugal's litoral regions by focusing on and developing inland economic sustainable centres, successive Portuguese governments have consistently opened the country borders, widely and freely, to illegal immigrants, refugees or extremely wealthy people from the World troubled spots or low quality life but very rich regions, mostly induced or created by misguided Western policies and wars!
By Tony Fernandes from Other on 28 Nov 2021, 20:54
Bearing in mind the job market and housing market, one needs to ask where would parents put the children???? Housing is simply out of bounds for Portuguese.
By K from Algarve on 01 Dec 2021, 15:12
The ability to speak English and with nothing but picking grapes , baking natas or joining the military for a living means that a high taxation country is going to lose it's new-born workforce and therefore tax contributions leaving behind the elderly and a dwindling population and the loss of language.....just like Wales in the U.K.....Only the elders speak it as they farm their sheep at the age of 80...
By Mac from Other on 01 Dec 2021, 18:57
Portugal should make it a lot easier for Americans to move here who either can open up businesses to provide jobs or telecommute. This can help bring more prosperity to Portugal. Many would love to live here and have the opportunity to learn Portuguese and appreciate the quality of life here. Improving prosperity for Portugal will raise living standards and encourage more Portuguese to have children. In the US, the quality of life is deteriorating and seems less safe each year. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to raise kids there. Portugal is a better and safer place to have a family, if one has the financial means.
By Robert from Lisbon on 03 Dec 2021, 02:01