If costs of ethnic ascertainment and pretest counselling are included, the case for universal compared with selective screening is slightly strengthened, but the case for selective screening compared with no screening is substantially weakened. 35,000- 145,000 per 10,000 antenatal population, and increased with prevalence. Universal neonatal screening was estimated to cost approximately 22,000 per 10,000 antenatal population. The costs associated with neonatally identified carrier infants are small in relation to overall programme costs and do not alter the comparative cost-effectiveness of universal and selective strategies. The targeted screening of infants is a cost-effective alternative to selective screening, but would require robust information systems that have not yet been developed.
Conclusions is a bullet.
Implications and recommendations is a bullet. A pilot study in which such protocols are implemented should be considered. Medicolegal and ethical studies are needed to determine how much pretest information about antenatal and neonatal screening is required, in order that consent to testing can be considered to be informed. Research is undertaken in those areas where the evidence will lead to the greatest benefits to patients, either through improved patient outcomes or the most efficient use of NHS resources. The Standing Group on Health Technology advises on national priorities for health technology assessment.