Abstract

Keywords:Newborn Screening; Family Physicians; Pediatric Healthcare; Screening Compliance; Digital Health Tools; Neonatal Outcomes

Dear Editor

I commend Güneş and Aydin [1] for their insightful study on the knowledge and practice of family physicians in Turkey regarding newborn screening [1]. Their findings underscore the crucial role of primary care providers in ensuring early detection and intervention for congenital and metabolic disorders. The study’s emphasis on the gaps in knowledge and the inconsistent implementation of screening protocols highlights a pressing issue in pediatric healthcare. The reported rates of neonatal follow-up (56.5%), developmental hip dysplasia assessment (56.3%), and even lower rates for eye (29%) and hearing screenings (20.6%) are alarming. These results provide compelling evidence that newborn screening programs need to be reinforced at the primary care level.

Despite its valuable contributions, the study presents certain limitations. The reliance on self-reported data introduces the possibility of recall bias, where physicians may overestimate their adherence to screening protocols. Additionally, the study does not explore the systemic barriers contributing to these gaps, such as time constraints, lack of adequate training, or infrastructural deficiencies in primary healthcare settings. Another limitation is the absence of a comparative analysis with other countries that have implemented successful newborn screening frameworks. Understanding best practices from international experiences could further contextualize the findings and provide actionable insights for improving newborn screening in Turkey.

To address these shortcomings, I propose a structured, nationwide continuing medical education (CME) program for family physicians [2], integrating both theoretical and hands-on training in neonatal screening. Additionally, leveraging digital health tools [3]the deadliest form of skin cancer, has seen a steady increase in incidence rates worldwide, posing a significant challenge to dermatologists. Early detection is crucial for improving patient survival rates. However, performing total body screening (TBS, such as electronic reminders and AI-assisted screening checklists, could enhance physician compliance with screening guidelines. Future research should incorporate qualitative assessments to explore physicians’ perspectives on the barriers to effective newborn screening [4]. Furthermore, collaboration between pediatric specialists and primary care providers should be strengthened through interdisciplinary workshops to ensure that newborns receive comprehensive, evidence-based screenings [5]. Implementing these measures can significantly improve neonatal outcomes and reinforce the role of family physicians as the first line of defense against preventable childhood disorders.

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) utilized [QuillBot and SciSpace] to refine the language without altering the scientific substance of the manuscript.

References

1. Ramazan Ali G, Neriman A (2025) Knowledge and Practice of Family Physicians Working in a Province in Turkey Regarding Newborn Screening 14(5).
2. Levinson W, Wong BM (2021) Aligning continuing professional development with quality improvement. Cmaj 193(18): E647-E648.
3. Useini V, Tanadini-Lang S, Lohmeyer Q, Meboldt M, Andratschke N, et al. (2023) Automatized Self-Supervised Learning for Skin Lesion Screening 14: 1-11.
4. Nair M, Yoshida S, Lambrechts T, Boschi-Pinto C, Bose K, et al. (2014). Facilitators and barriers to quality of care in maternal, newborn and child health: A global situational analysis through metareview. BMJ Open 4(5): e004749.
5. Schraeder K, Dimitropoulos G, Allemang B, McBrien K, Samuel S (2021) Strategies for improving primary care for adolescents and young adults transitioning from pediatric services: perspectives of Canadian primary health care professionals. Family Practice 38(3): 329-338.