Infant Screeening Process Marks 50 Years of Saving Babies

When Casey Romond was born, doctors ran a number of tests on him to check for genetic abnormalities, congenital heart problems and hearing loss.

Infant Casey was still brand new when he was diagnosed with a very rare genetic condition called malonic aciduria, which prevents his body from converting some fats to energy.

His father, Tim Romond, said the diagnosis "Saved his (Casey's) life."

The Romond family, of Metuchen, were special guests at a Monday celebration at Saint Peter's University Hospital recognizing the 50th anniversary of newborn screening for Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) a field where New Jersey is a leader in the country, health officials say.

According to Saint Peter's University Hospital, newborn screening began in 1964 and over the past 20 years, has resulted in the screening of 2.4 million infants.

6,463 of those babies have tested positive for a genetic condition, according to the hospital.

State Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd said the more than 100,000 babies born annually are tested for 54 genetic conditions as well as hearing loss and cognitive heart problems.

The current administration has earmarked an additional $1.6 million in state money to be put toward the program, which will hopefully expand the test to check for 60 conditions by the end of the year, she said.

New Jersey has been nationally recognized for its focus on newborn testing, and was chosen to be one of about a dozen states to recognize the 50th anniversary of the testing, O'Dowd said.

Now five, Casey Romond is a happy, healthy child, who mugged for photos with his brother, Tommy, 10 and sister, Riley, 8.

Romond said Casey's condition basically means his son's body cannot retain stored energy, so Casey must eat every four hours.

It's a task that family matriarch Genene Romond has seen through since the beginning, he said.

"I couldn't ask for a better wife and mother," he said.

For more information on newborn screening, visit www.newbornscreening.nj.gov.