According to data from the “foot test”, which covers almost all births, between January and September 2022, 62,001 newborns were screened under the National Neonatal Screening Program (PNRN), 3,037 more than in the same period of 2021 (58,964).

The data shared with Lusa agency by the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) confirm the reversal of the downward trend seen last year.

September was the month with the highest number of births (7,979), followed by August (7,862) and March (7,097), while April was the month with the fewest births (5,950), followed by February (6,049) and January (6,482).

Lisbon was the district with the most tests performed (18,440), followed by Porto (11,386), Setúbal (4,754), Braga (4,717), Aveiro (3,036) and Faro (3,024).

The lowest number of tests was observed in the district of Bragança (436), followed by Guarda (469), Portalegre (446), Vila Real (425) and Castelo Branco (725), according to the program coordinated by INSA, through its Neonatal Screening, Metabolism and Genetics Unit, Department of Human Genetics.

During the entire year of 2021, 79,217 newborns were studied, 6,239 fewer than in 2020 (85,456), the lowest value ever.