Expanded newborn screening (NBS) programs are essential for early detection and treatment. This study highlights the implementation of an expanded NBS program for inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in rural Thailand, focusing on Health Regions 7 and 8 as a model for resource-limited settings. Using the KKU-IEM web-based platform, the program streamlined workflows, integrating logistics, real-time sample tracking, and electronic data management. Regular training sessions, continuous feedback, and systematic monitoring improved outcomes. Starting from October 2022, the program covered 98.6% of 123,692 live births, identifying 101 CH cases (1 in 1208 live births) and 20 IEM cases (1 in 6100 live births). The CH incidence was slightly higher than Thailand’s national average, while the IEM incidence was double that found in a previous Bangkok pilot study. Six cases highlighted maternal conditions affecting outcomes. Process improvements reduced the average reporting time from 9.13 days in 2023 to 8.4 days in 2024, with a 19% reduction in Bueng Kan Province. Efficiencies were driven by electronic ordering, real-time tracking, and stakeholder collaboration. This program demonstrates a scalable model for rural settings, emphasizing technology integration, collaboration, and quality control. Future efforts should refine diagnostics, expand disease coverage, and enhance long-term outcomes.

Expanded newborn screening (NBS) programs are essential for early detection and treatment. This study highlights the implementation of an expanded NBS program for inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in rural Thailand, focusing on Health Regions 7 and 8 as a model for resource-limited settings. Using the KKU-IEM web-based platform, the program streamlined workflows, integrated logistics, real-time sample tracking, and electronic data management. Regular training sessions, continuous feedback, and systematic monitoring improved outcomes. From October 2022, the program covered 98.6% of 123,692 live births, identifying 101 CH cases (1 in 1,208 live births) and 20 IEM cases (1 in 6,100 live births). CH incidence was slightly higher than Thailand’s national average, while IEM incidence was double that of a Bangkok pilot study. Six cases highlighted maternal conditions affecting outcomes. Process improvements reduced average reporting time from 9.13 days in 2023 to 8.4 days in 2024, with a 19% reduction in Bueng Kan province. Efficiencies were driven by electronic ordering, real-time tracking, and stakeholder collaboration. This program demonstrates a scalable model for rural settings, emphasizing technology integration, collaboration, and quality control. Future efforts should refine diagnostics, expand disease coverage, and enhance long-term outcomes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often leads to anxiety and social and motor issues. There is a research gap in comprehensive ASD interventions. This study used a randomized controlled trial to explore the effects of a two-week trampoline exercise on children with ASD aged 9 - 12. 12 children were divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group did trampoline training 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Results showed that the heart rate variability HRV in the intervention group dropped significantly (p = 0.0009), indicating anxiety relief. One-leg standing with eyes closed (OLS) improved (p <0.05), and the standing long-jump (SLJ) extended significantly (p = 0.02), showing better lower limb power and balance. There were no significant changes in body mass index(BMI). Trampoline exercise seems to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for children with ASD, improving mental health and motor skills. However, long-term effects are unknown, given the small sample size and short intervention. More long-term studies are needed to explore its impact on social and cognitive functions.

Background: Anxiety affects approximately 40% to 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet evidence-based nonpharmacological interventions remain limited. Trampoline exercise, which combines vestibular stimulation and aerobic activity, may offer dual benefits by reducing anxiety and improving motor skills in this population. To examine the effects of an 8-week trampoline exercise program on anxiety, motor performance, and physiological outcomes (heart rate variability, HRV) in children with mild-to-moderate ASD. Methods: This assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial (Registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2500104402; Date: June 17, 2025) enrolled 50 children with mild-to-moderate ASD (aged 9–14 years) from Shandong Special Education Rehabilitation Center, China. Participants were allocated 1:1 to an 8-week trampoline intervention group (IG, n = 25; 3 sessions/wk, 30 min/session) or a resistance training control group (CG, n = 25). Primary outcomes: anxiety (screen for child anxiety related disorders [SCARED] questionnaire) and HRV root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Secondary outcomes: standing long jump (SLJ), one-leg stance with eyes closed (OLS), and BMI (body mass index). Between-group differences were analyzed via Mann–Whitney U tests; effect sizes were reported as Cliff δ (thresholds: small = 0.11, medium = 0.28, large = 0.43). Results: All 50 participants completed the intervention and assessments. Compared with CG, IG showed significantly greater reductions in SCARED scores (Δ = −9.4 vs Δ = 0, false discovery rate-corrected P < .001, δ = −0.92) and improvements in HRV (RMSSD: Δ = +8.51 ms vs Δ = +1.45 ms, false discovery rate-corrected P = .003, δ = −0.66). Standing long jump (SLJ) improved markedly in IG (Δ = +15.0 cm vs CG Δ = +4.0 cm, false discovery rate-corrected P < .001, δ = −0.68). However, one-leg stance with eyes closed (OLS) showed no significant between-group difference after false discovery rate correction (Δ = +0.65 seconds vs Δ = +1.14 seconds, false discovery rate-corrected P = .076, δ = −0.37). BMI remained stable in both groups (false discovery rate-corrected P = .348). Conclusion: Trampoline exercise significantly reduces anxiety and enhances lower limb explosive power in children with mild-to-moderate ASD, with effect sizes exceeding clinical thresholds. Its low cost (<$100) and high adherence (85%) support integration into school-based interventions. Future studies should explore long-term effects (3–6 months) and neural mechanisms via functional magnetic resonance imaging.