We’re excited to share another installment of our physician interview series in honor of Newborn Screening Awareness month. Today, we’re sharing our recent conversation with Antonio Condino-Neto, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, FCIS, an expert immunologist based in São Paolo, Brazil. Newborn screening in São Paolo would not have been possible without his tireless efforts, dedication to our cause, and constant care for patients.

  1. Why is newborn screening so important for the Primary Immunodeficiency community? The most severe forms of Primary Immunodeficiency start early in life. These life-threatening conditions require early intervention for preventing complications, sequelae, and death. The only way to diagnose those conditions is by NBS. We currently detect diseases affecting T cells and B cells, and it’s possible to identify specific treatments for patients. We hope to evolve the technology to detect other severe diseases affecting neutrophils, macrophages, and the complement system, increasing our scope and perfecting our practice.
  2. What do you wish more parents and families knew about newborn screening? Parents and families should know that most of the primary immunodeficiencies are asymptomatic at birth. This is why it is so important to perform NBS, keep educating the population about these unmet needs, and perfect the technology to detect more diseases.
  3. What advice and helpful tools would you give to those countries still not screening? We have to bring medical societies, patient associations, politicians, and health care providers to the table and show them how important, useful and cost effective is to perform NBS. Most importantly, we need to clearly explain that patient associations are the most powerful active actor in this process.
  4. Do you anticipate any changes to the way newborn screening is conducted in the future? Yes, we will include new technologies for detecting more diseases and progressively move towards genetics tests.
  5. How has the Foundation impacted your work with newborn screening? JMF gave me strong support, provided effective examples, knowledge and wisdom to manage and involve all the necessary actors to help implement NBS for Primary Immunodeficiency in Brazil.
  6. Is there any advice you’d like to offer patients and families who test positive for SCID? Smile, never cry! You should be happy to know early about this disease and have the chance to save your child. Reserve your tears, for tears of joy once your child is treated and saved.