Data provided to the Lusa news agency by the Dr Ricardo Jorge National Institute of Health (INSA) indicate that, in the first three months of 2026, 1,031 more babies were screened than in the same period of 2025 (20,782) and 821 more than in the first quarter of 2016.

Month with the most births

January had the highest number of births (7,908), followed by March (7,312) and, lastly, February (6,593), according to data from the National Neonatal Screening Programme (PNRN), which covers almost all births in the country.

Births by location

In this first quarter, Lisbon was the district with the most tests carried out (6,594), followed by Porto (3,903), Setúbal (1,797), Braga (1,633), Faro (1,105) and Aveiro (978).

The lowest number of tests was recorded in the district of Bragança (137), followed by Portalegre (139), Vila Real (203), Beja (278), Évora (281), Castelo Branco (297), and Viana do Castelo (394).

Upward trend in birth rates

The figures released reinforce the upward trend observed in 2025, when 87,708 babies were screened, the highest figure in the last 10 years.

The ‘heel prick test’ is carried out via blood tests, from the 3rd day of life and, if possible, up to the 6th, by taking one or two drops of blood from the baby’s heel.

These tests enable the identification of children suffering from conditions, almost always genetic, such as phenylketonuria or congenital hypothyroidism, who may benefit from early treatment.