[Newborn hearing screening in Germany-results of the 2011/2012 and 2017/2018 evaluations].

Background: Newborn hearing screening (NHS) was introduced nationwide by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G‑BA) in 2009. In this process, quality targets were also set in the pediatrics directive. In order to review the quality NHS in Germany, the G‑BA commissioned a consortium to conduct an initial evaluation for the years 2011 and 2012 and a follow-up evaluation for 2017 and 2018.

[Comparison of diagnostic data after introduction of cystic fibrosis screening in newborns in Germany].

Background: In Germany, newborn screening (NGS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) was introduced on 1 September 2016. There is no legally required follow-up of abnormal screening findings, so the exact number of final diagnoses is not known. Two data sources can support the evaluation of the cystic fibrosis screening: the German Society for Newborn Screening (DGNS) collects the results of NGS and confirmatory testing for quality assurance and the German Cystic Fibrosis Registry (DMR) collects diagnostic frequencies.

[Newborn blood spot screening (NBS) in Germany : Status quo and presentation of a concept for further development].

Newborn screening from dried blood spots (NBS) is a highly effective secondary prevention measure that has been established for many years. Against the background of the inclusion of "new diseases" that meet the screening criteria, a concept for the further advancement of NBS was developed on behalf of the GKV-Spitzenverband. This was based on a systematic literature review and a survey of the status quo of NBS in Germany using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Is Our Newborn Screening Working Well? A Literature Review of Quality Requirements for Newborn Blood Spot Screening (NBS) Infrastructure and Procedures.

Newborn screening using dried blood spots (NBS) is widely acknowledged as a highly successful procedure in secondary prevention. For a number of congenital disorders, severe disability or death are impressively prevented by early detection and early treatment through NBS. However, as with any other screening, NBS can also cause harm, and the principle that "the overall benefits of screening should outweigh the harms" must be considered when introducing and implementing NBS programmes.

German newborn screening for Cystic fibrosis: Parental perspectives and suggestions for improvements.

Purpose: Cystic fibrosis (CF) was added to the German newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) panel in 2016. This study assesses parental perceptions of CF-NBS and confirmatory testing.

Methods: Prospective questionnaire-based survey administered to parents of children with positive CF-NBS over 40 months after initiation of CF-NBS in Southwest Germany.

[Evaluation of a Screening Program: Challenges of Data Collection Using the Example of the Newborn Hearing Screening].

Background: The aim of the newborn hearing screening (NHS) is to identify and treat children with bilateral hearing disorders early. The NHS is regulated in Germany by the Pediatric Directive, which recommends an evaluation after 5 years. This evaluation was performed for the first time nationwide for children born between 2011 and 2012 regarding structural, process and result quality.

Neonatal Screening for Congenital Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders–Results From Germany for the Years 2006–2018.

Background: The purpose of neonatal screening is the early detection of congenital metabolic and endocrine disorders that, if untreated, could lead to fatal crises or other long-term adverse sequelae. In Germany, neonatal screening is legally regulated. Quality-assurance reports ("DGNS reports") are created and published annually by the German Society for Neonatal Screening (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neugeborenen-Screening).

Implementing a tracking system for confirmatory diagnostic results after positive newborn screening for cystic fibrosis-implications for process quality and patient care.

Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF-NBS) was introduced in Germany in 2016. Currently, systematic follow-up of positive CF-NBS results is not implemented or reimbursed in the NBS program. We investigated results of confirmatory testing over 24 months after implementation of CF-NBS for a large German NBS center before and after introduction of an active tracking system and performed a cost calculation for tracking.

Parents' experience with positive newborn screening results for cystic fibrosis.

In Germany, screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) is part of the newborn screening since September 2016. The risk of psychological harm due to false-positive screening results is a longstanding concern. We investigated the parents' perception of the CF screening process in Bavaria and the communication after positive screening results with a questionnaire.

Newborn Hearing Screening in Bavaria-Is It Possible to Reach the Quality Parameters?

Since the 1 January, 2009, newborn hearing screening (NHS) has been obligatory for every child in Germany. NHS is part of the Pediatrics Directive of the Federal Joint Committee. In this directive, details of the procedures and screening quality to be achieved are given.

Respiratory diseases are associated with molar-incisor hypomineralizations.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the association of molar-incisor hypomineralizations (MIHs) with prospectively collected potential causative factors from the first 4 years of life, e.g. respiratory diseases, breastfeeding, maternal smoking and parental education.

[Universal newborn hearing screening : Definition of uniform parameters by the Association of German Hearing Screening Centers as a requirement for nationwide evaluation with valid results].

Background: Since 2009, all newborns in Germany have been entitled to universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS). UNHS with tracking of test results leads to earlier detection of hearing disorders. The Association of German Hearing Screening Centers (Verband Deutscher Hörscreening-Zentralen, VDHZ) was founded to promote nationwide tracking, validity and quality control of UNHS results.

The cost-effectiveness of tracking newborns with bilateral hearing impairment in Bavaria: a decision-analytic model.

Background: Although several countries, including Germany, have established newborn hearing screening programmes for early detection and treatment of newborns with hearing impairments, nationwide tracking systems for follow-up of newborns with positive test results until diagnosis of hearing impairment have often not been implemented. However, a recent study on universal newborn hearing screening in Bavaria showed that, in a high proportion of newborns, early diagnosis was only possible with the use of a tracking system. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the cost-effectiveness of tracking newborns with bilateral hearing impairment in Bavaria.

Proportion and extent of manifestation of molar-incisor-hypomineralizations according to different phenotypes.

Objective: This epidemiological study aimed to assess the proportion and extent of manifestation of enamel hypomineralization, including molar-incisor-hypomineralization (MIH), in the permanent and primary dentition.

Methods: A total of 693 children enrolled in an ongoing birth cohort study (GINIplus-10) were examined at their 10-year follow-up. Enamel hypomineralization was scored in the primary and permanent dentition on a tooth- and surface-related level based on the criteria of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD).

[Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS): is it possible to successfully implement it nationwide?].

Background: Since 01.01.2009 in Germany a newborn hearing screening (UNHS) is obligatory for every child.

Impact of early feeding on childhood eczema: development after nutritional intervention compared with the natural course - the GINIplus study up to the age of 6 years.

Background: Nutritional intervention with hydrolysed infant formulas has been shown efficacious in preventing eczema in children predisposed to allergy. However, this preventive effect has never been related to the natural course of eczema in children with or without a family history of allergy. The aim of this study therefore was to compare the course of eczema in predisposed children after nutritional intervention to the natural course of eczema.

Early allergic sensitizations and their relevance to atopic diseases in children aged 6 years: results of the GINI study.

Background: Only a few studies have analyzed the value of early sensitization in predicting the development of atopic disease. The relevance of low immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibody levels in this respect also remains unclear.

Objective: To investigate the relevance of sensitization in 12-month-old children in the development of atopic disease by the age of 6 years.

Burden of otitis media and pneumonia in children up to 6 years of age: results of the LISA birth cohort.

Infections play an important role in childhood. For Germany, few data are available on the epidemiology of infectious diseases such as otitis media and pneumonia in children. We therefore described the prevalence, first episode proportions and recurrence of these childhood infection diseases in selected regions of Germany in children up to 6 years of age.

Preventive effect of hydrolyzed infant formulas persists until age 6 years: long-term results from the German Infant Nutritional Intervention Study (GINI).

Background: The long-term effect of nutritional intervention with hydrolyzed infant formulas on allergy development has not been sufficiently evaluated.

Objective: We performed a follow-up of the German Infant Nutritional Intervention study until 6 years of life to investigate the long-term allergy-preventive effect of 3 hydrolyzed infant formulas compared with cow's milk formula (CMF) in a randomized, double-blind trial.

Methods: Between 1995 and 1998, 2252 newborns with atopic heredity were randomly assigned at birth to receive one of 4 blinded formulas: partially or extensively hydrolyzed whey formula, extensively hydrolyzed casein formula, or CMF as milk substitute for the first 4 months when breast-feeding was insufficient.

Atopic diseases, allergic sensitization, and exposure to traffic-related air pollution in children.

Rationale: In vitro studies, animal experiments, and human exposure studies have shown how ambient air pollution increases the risk of atopic diseases. However, results derived from observational studies are inconsistent.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between individual-based exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and allergic disease outcomes in a prospective birth cohort study during the first 6 years of life.

Timing of solid food introduction in relation to eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food and inhalant sensitization at the age of 6 years: results from the prospective birth cohort study LISA.

Objective: Current prophylactic feeding guidelines recommend a delayed introduction of solids for the prevention of atopic diseases. This study investigates whether a delayed introduction of solids (past 4 or 6 months) is protective against the development of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food or inhalant sensitization at the age of 6 years.

Methods: Data from 2073 children in the ongoing LISA birth cohort study were analyzed at 6 years of age.

Solid food introduction in relation to eczema: results from a four-year prospective birth cohort study.

Objective: To assess the association between the introduction of solid foods in the first 12 months and the occurrence of eczema during the first 4 years of life in a prospective study of newborns.

Study Design: Data were taken from annually administered questionnaires from a large birth cohort (recruited 1995-1998) comprised of an intervention and a nonintervention group. Outcomes were doctor-diagnosed and symptomatic eczema.