AKIPRESS.COM - The early childhood screening center has opened in Uvurkhangai Province, the UB Post reports.

The screening, which is performed on infants within 24-72 hours, was introduced in Mongolia last year. The screening has been carried out in the regional diagnostic and treatment centers of Dornod, Orkhon, and Khovd provinces.

"About 2,100-2,300 babies are born in our province every year. By performing this test on all newborns, metabolic, endocrine, and genetic disorders can be detected at an early stage," neonatologist at the maternity department of the Regional Diagnostic Treatment Center in Uvurkhangai Province N.Sunjidmaa said.

Many children with congenital hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth) live in Mongolia. If the disease is detected in infancy, thyroid hormone replacement therapy will be done throughout their lives, the UB Post notes.