The first cry isn't enough: Why every newborn needs this simple test

A baby’s first cry is often celebrated as a reassuring sign of health, yet some of the most serious medical conditions in newborns are completely invisible at birth. Hidden beneath the surface, these disorders can silently begin to cause irreversible harm within days or weeks if left undetected. At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, the newborn screening programme currently includes testing for several important conditions: congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cystic fibrosis, galactosemia, and sickle cell disease. While many of these disorders are individually rare, their combined impact is significant. Early identification enables timely treatment that can prevent severe complications and support normal growth and development. In many ways, newborn screening represents a shift in how healthcare approaches prevention. It is a reminder that some of the most important moments in a child's health journey happen long before symptoms are ever seen, writes Dr Daniel Maina, assistant professor at Aga Khan University Medical College and Consultant Pathologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.