The number of newborns screened in Portugal in the first quarter of the year reached the highest level in the last decade, with 21,813 babies covered by the 'heel prick test'. Data provided this Wednesday, April 22, to the Lusa agency by the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) indicate that in the first three months of 2026, 1,031 more babies were studied than in the same period of 2025 (20,782) and 821 more compared to the first quarter of 2016. January recorded the highest number of births (7,908), followed by March (7,312) and February (6,593), according to data from the National Neonatal Screening Programme (PNRN), which covers almost all births in the country. Fetal and infant mortality increased in Portugal in 2024.