Guthrie Test

The Guthrie Test is a mandatory blood test for newborns to exclude the possibility of developing phenylketonuria. This rare metabolic disorder, which occurs in approximately one in 20,000 newborns, can lead to serious consequences associated with severe mental retardation if the child does not begin to receive special nutrition from early childhood.

The Guthrie test was developed in 1961 by Dr. R. James Guthrie and is a test to determine the level of phenylalanine in a child's blood. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is a building block of proteins. In a healthy person, phenylalanine is broken down by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and then utilized in the body. However, in children with phenylketonuria this process is disrupted and phenylalanine begins to accumulate in the blood, which can lead to damage to the central nervous system.

The Guthrie test is performed immediately after the baby starts feeding milk, approximately on the sixth or seventh day of life. To do this, a drop of blood is taken from the child’s heel, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. If the level of phenylalanine in a child’s blood exceeds the norm, then he is prescribed a special diet that excludes foods containing phenylalanine.

If phenylketonuria is not detected during initial screening, the Guthrie test may be repeated after a few days or weeks to exclude a false negative result.

The Guthrie test is a mandatory test for newborns in many countries around the world, including the United States and most European countries. Thanks to early detection of phenylketonuria and the prescription of special nutrition, serious consequences for the child’s health can be prevented and normal development can be ensured.

The Guthrie Test is an important test for diagnosing phenylketonuria in newborns. Phenylketonuria is a rare hereditary disease associated with a disorder in the metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine. If this disease is not detected and treated in the first months of life, it can lead to serious problems in the development of the child.

The Guthrie test was developed by Dr. Robert Guthrie in 1960. The study is carried out on the sixth or seventh day after the birth of the child, when breastfeeding begins. To do this, a small amount of blood is taken from the child's heel and applied to special filter paper. The paper is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

As a result of the analysis, the level of phenylalanine in the child’s blood is determined. If phenylalanine levels are elevated, this may indicate the presence of phenylketonuria. In this case, the child is prescribed a special diet that excludes foods rich in phenylalanine. Such a diet is necessary in order to prevent the development of serious disorders in the development of the child.

The Guthrie test is considered a very accurate method for diagnosing phenylketonuria. This test is mandatory for all newborns in most countries of the world. If the test shows elevated phenylalanine levels, treatment should be started immediately.

In conclusion, the Guthrie test is an important method for screening newborns for phenylketonuria. This simple and safe test allows you to identify the disease in the early stages and begin timely treatment, which helps maintain the health and normal development of the child.

The Guthrie test is a newborn blood test performed to determine whether a child has a metabolic disorder of the amino acid phenylalanine and subsequently predicts possible PKU. Having identified deviations in advance, the pediatrician will be able to provide the baby with the necessary nutrition in a timely manner. If you suspect possible phenylketonic hyperphenia