Market Overview

Global newborn screening market is expected to register a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period. Factors that are responsible for the growth of this market include growing newborn screening programs, rising incidences of congenital diseases, raising funding from government sectors for newborn screening and advancements in technologies used in newborn screening.

Newborn screening represents one of the major child health advances of this past century, and there have been many of the advancements in the technologies used in newborn screening. The rapid pace of developments in the field of expanded newborn screening has been made possible by technological advances in the ability to detect multiple compounds diagnostic of different inborn errors of metabolism in neonatal dried blood specimens. After the success of newborn screening in phenylketonuria, experts in this area are optimistic that further health benefits will rise in the future. Also, one of the most exciting and powerful advancements in this field is the commercialization of hybrid instruments. The manufacturers are focusing on the high sensitivity, resolution, throughput, and cost effectiveness to gain a foothold in the market. Hence, many companies have been influenced by emerging technologies, and have adapted many new clinical testing platforms for use. The examples include the use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for amino acidopathies and organic acidurias, multi-marker HPLC testing for hemoglobinopathies, multi-analyte immunoassays for HIV, Hepatitis B, and C antibodies, and also second-tier DNA-based assays that detect mutation panels, and even next-generation sequencing technologies for cystic fibrosis and other disorders. All these factors, thus, contribute to driving the market globally.

However, the factors such as the lack of uniformity of newborn screening policies and procedures, across the world may hinder the market growth.

Scope of the Report

Newborn screening is a preventive pediatric screening test conducted to diagnose congenital or inborn abnormalities of metabolism, in order, to identify the disease. The early detection and appropriate standards of diagnosis and treatment can prevent death and promote the healthy development of an infant. The newborn screening market is driven by increase in the incidence of neonatal diseases, which leads to high demand for newborn screening tests. 

Key Market Trends

Dried Blood Spot is Expected to Hold the Major Revenue Share in the Test Type Segment

Dried blood spot tests (DBS) is expected to continue its domination in the forecast period. DBS sampling has been used to screen newborn babies for congenital metabolic diseases for over 50 years. Advantages of DBS sampling include minimal volume requirements (approximately 30 – 100 µL per spot), ease of sample attainment by finger or heel stick with minimal training required, ease of transport and sample stability. Autisms, Lymphomas and leukemia and many other metabolic conditions can be diagnosed through this test. Dried blood spot analysis offers the advantage of collecting a small sample volume, which is easily transported. And with the rising diseases among the newborn is also helping in the market growth.

However, the factors such as the lack of uniformity of newborn screening policies and procedures across the globe and false positive and false negative results may hinder the growth of the market.