%0 Journal Article
%T The evolution of blood-spot newborn screening
%A Kaustuv Bhattacharya
%A Tiffany Wotton
%A Veronica Wiley
%J SCIE-indexed Journal
%D 2014
%X The objective of medical screening tests is to identify clinically significant disorders from a target population, using a reliable method. Certain inborn errors of metabolism and other metabolic disorders can be detected pre-symptomatically in apparently healthy babies using appropriate laboratory tests. Screening is only appropriate if there is: a demonstrable benefit from early diagnosis; a suitable test with high specificity and sensitivity; a system of confirmation of results, counselling, treatment and follow-up; and the balance of harms and benefits is positive. Over the last 50 years the concept of screening asymptomatic babies to identify severe disorders has been realised. The field of newborn screening has changed dramatically over that period of time, embracing advances in technology, which have been incorporated into various programmes today
%U http://tp.amegroups.com/article/view/3543/4406