The knowledge level of the healthcare professionals responsible for newborns' heel prick tests

Newborn heel prick tests are preventive health services applied for the early diagnosis of the pathological picture that occurs due to errors in the synthesis or catabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fatty acids, causing irreversible losses such as brain damage, mental retardation, and even death. Heel prick tests are applied to every baby born alive within the scope of the National Newborn Screening Program (NNSP). In our country, a total of five Congenital Metabolic Diseases (CMD) including Phenylketonuria (PHU), Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH), Biotinidase Deficiency (BD), Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) are tested from the heel prick. This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge of healthcare professionals involved in newborn heel prick tests. xiii The research was carried out with 147 healthcare professionals who volunteered to participate in the study and were assigned to heel prick tests in primary and secondary health care institutions in the province and districts of Kırşehir, where heel prick samples were taken. As a data collection tool, a questionnaire prepared by the researcher in line with the literature was used. Number, percentage, mean and standard deviation analyses were performed on the collected data. It was observed that 59 of the healthcare professionals participating in the study were physicians, 51 nurses and 37 midwives. 55.1% of the participants stated that they had received training on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. The majority of healthcare professionals gave correct answers to the questions regarding the collection, storage and transfer of heel prick. It has been observed that healthcare professionals do not have sufficient information regarding the definition of CAHs, their findings and where to refer patients whose results are suspicious. It is of great importance for healthcare professionals to have sufficient information about diseases that can be controlled with treatment and nutrition when they have early diagnosis in order to carry out tests without interruption. Healthcare professionals have important responsibilities in many issues from genetic counseling before marriage to the care of the baby diagnosed with the disease and the education of the family. June 2021, 85 Pages Keywords: Newborn, heel prick test, congenital metabolic diseases, healthcare professionals