Data from the PNRN, known as the “little foot test”, indicate that 72,316 children were born in the first eleven months of this year, 6,058 less than in the same period of 2020 (78,374).

According to data released by the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), the largest number of babies screened was observed in the districts of Lisbon and Porto, with 21,485 and 13,435 tests carried out, respectively, followed by Setúbal (5,425) and Braga (5,322).

On the other hand, Bragança (466), Portalegre (533) and Guarda (576) were the districts with the fewest newborns analysed.

The National Neonatal Screening Program, coordinated by INSA through its Neonatal Screening, Metabolism and Genetics Unit, of the Department of Human Genetics, has been carrying out tests for some serious diseases in all newborns since 1979.

The panel of screened diseases comprises 26 pathologies: congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis and 24 inherited metabolic disorders.