Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
This document is a summary of the 2008 recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on screening for phenylketonuria in newborns. This summary is intended for use by primary care clinicians.
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| Population |
All Newborns |
| Recommendation |
Grade: A
|
| Screening Tests |
Screening for PKU is mandated in all 50 states. Methods of screening vary.
Three main methods are used to screen for PKU in the United States:
- Guthrie Bacterial Inhibition Assay (BIA)
- Automated fluorometric assay
- Tandem mass spectrometry
|
| Timing of Screening |
Infants who are tested within the first 24 hours after birth should receive a repeat screening test by 2 weeks of age.
Optimal timing of screening for premature infants and infants with illnesses
is at or near 7 days of age, but in all cases before discharge from the newborn nursery.
|
| Treatment |
It is essential that phenylalanine restrictions be instituted shortly after birth
to prevent the neurodevelopmental effects of PKU.
|
| Other Relevant Recommendations from the USPSTF |
Additional USPSTF recommendations regarding screening tests for newborns can be accessed at:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/cps3dix.htm#pediatric
|
For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making this recommendation, please go to the full recommendation statement, and supporting documents.
Copyright and Source Information
This document is in the public domain within the United States. For
information on reprinting, contact Randie Siegel, Director, Division of
Printing and Electronic Publishing, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
Requests for linking or to incorporate content in electronic resources
should be sent to: info@ahrq.gov.
AHRQ Publication No. 08-05-110-EF-3
Current as of March 2008
Internet Citation:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Phenylketonuria in Newborns: Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. AHRQ Publication No. 08-05-110-EF-3, March 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf08/pku/pkusum.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850