The Role of Technology in the Neonatal Screening Laboratory

摘要

In 1961, Dr Robert Guthrie initiated the collection of blood as dried spots on filter paper for testing newborns for the detection of phenylketonuria (PKU).1,2 He analyzed these dried blood spot (DBS) specimens with a bacterial inhibition test that he developed to measure phenylalanine.2 This combination of easily transportable specimens and an inexpensive, simple test made large-scale testing for PKU possible. As a result of Guthriea??s efforts, the successful introduction of DBS as a source for PKU screening eventually led to population-based screening for over 32 disorders for all newborns in the United States from only a few blood drops collected from a heel stick and absorbed into special filter paper.