The Media and Communication Department at King Khalid University held an awareness campaign on metabolic disorders in newborns. 'Early Diagnosis to Protect Newborns' was the slogan designed in collaboration with the private sector.

The campaign's purpose focused on metabolic disorders in newborns and the critical importance of early detection to prevent disabilities. It was noted that the rare genetic disorder appears in the early stages of infancy leading to permanent disabilities.

The campaign is the graduation project for Strategic Communication Media Department students Shog Mohammad Al-Qarni and Hanan Mushabab. They worked under the supervision of Department of Media and Communication Head, Nora Al-Amer. The campaign team included Dr. Mohammad Hajie, who explained that the probability of this disorder is usually found with couples who share the same genetic history.

Dr. Hajie added the Ministry of Health has established a routine procedure in public and private hospitals to examine newborns and diagnose the disorder in early stages, which must take place in the first 72 hours of birth. He discussed the significance of the 'Genome Project' and the work that they do. The not-for-profit project finds cures for genetic disorders and diseases to prevent and protect the spread of genetic disabilities.

The campaign introduced the causes and symptoms of this disorder, including the lack of important enzymes in the body, which are responsible for converting nutrients from protein, carbohydrates, and fats to small molecules. In turn, this leads to the accumulation of nutrients in the body causing excessive concentration in the blood. With early diagnosis, it was related, the threat of toxins and cell inactivity are drastically reduced.