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Cao J, Pasquali M, Jones PM. Newborn Screening: Current Practice and Our Journey over the Last 60 Years. J Appl Lab Med 2024; 9:820-832. [PMID: 38507619 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfae020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inborn errors of metabolism comprise a set of more than 2000 known disorders which can result in significant morbidity and may be rapidly fatal. Diagnosing these disorders at birth and treating immediately, however, may often result in a normal to near-normal life for the affected infant. Thus, newborn screening (NBS) has saved or improved the lives of countless individuals since its inception in the 1960s. CONTENT This review covers NBS, from its early beginnings up to the current day practice. We follow the evolution of NBS, as well as describe the need and how disorders are added to NBS programs, the testing and how its performance is monitored, and the follow-up to the testing. We also briefly touch on NBS outside the United States. SUMMARY Newborn screening in the United States is a major public health success story and it continues to grow and evolve to cover more disorders and utilize new technological advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Marzia Pasquali
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Patricia M Jones
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Therrell BL, Padilla CD, Borrajo GJC, Khneisser I, Schielen PCJI, Knight-Madden J, Malherbe HL, Kase M. Current Status of Newborn Bloodspot Screening Worldwide 2024: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Activities (2020-2023). Int J Neonatal Screen 2024; 10:38. [PMID: 38920845 PMCID: PMC11203842 DOI: 10.3390/ijns10020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) began in the early 1960s based on the work of Dr. Robert "Bob" Guthrie in Buffalo, NY, USA. His development of a screening test for phenylketonuria on blood absorbed onto a special filter paper and transported to a remote testing laboratory began it all. Expansion of NBS to large numbers of asymptomatic congenital conditions flourishes in many settings while it has not yet been realized in others. The need for NBS as an efficient and effective public health prevention strategy that contributes to lowered morbidity and mortality wherever it is sustained is well known in the medical field but not necessarily by political policy makers. Acknowledging the value of national NBS reports published in 2007, the authors collaborated to create a worldwide NBS update in 2015. In a continuing attempt to review the progress of NBS globally, and to move towards a more harmonized and equitable screening system, we have updated our 2015 report with information available at the beginning of 2024. Reports on sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, missing in 2015, have been included. Tables popular in the previous report have been updated with an eye towards harmonized comparisons. To emphasize areas needing attention globally, we have used regional tables containing similar listings of conditions screened, numbers of screening laboratories, and time at which specimen collection is recommended. Discussions are limited to bloodspot screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford L. Therrell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- National Newborn Screening and Global Resource Center, Austin, TX 78759, USA
| | - Carmencita D. Padilla
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, Philippines;
| | - Gustavo J. C. Borrajo
- Detección de Errores Congénitos—Fundación Bioquímica Argentina, La Plata 1908, Argentina;
| | - Issam Khneisser
- Jacques LOISELET Genetic and Genomic Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Peter C. J. I. Schielen
- Office of the International Society for Neonatal Screening, Reigerskamp 273, 3607 HP Maarssen, The Netherlands;
| | - Jennifer Knight-Madden
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research—Sickle Cell Unit, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Helen L. Malherbe
- Centre for Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa;
- Rare Diseases South Africa NPC, The Station Office, Bryanston, Sandton 2021, South Africa
| | - Marika Kase
- Strategic Initiatives Reproductive Health, Revvity, PL10, 10101 Turku, Finland;
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Marten LM, Krätzner R, Salomons GS, Fernandez Ojeda M, Dechent P, Gärtner J, Huppke P, Dreha-Kulaczewski S. Long term follow-up in GAMT deficiency - Correlation of therapy regimen, biochemical and in vivo brain proton MR spectroscopy data. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2024; 38:101053. [PMID: 38469086 PMCID: PMC10926185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2024.101053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
GAMT deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disease within the group of cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes. Cerebral creatine depletion and accumulation of guanidinoacetate (GAA) lead to clinical presentation with intellectual disability, seizures, speech disturbances and movement disorders. Treatment consists of daily creatine supplementation to increase cerebral creatine, reduction of arginine intake and supplementation of ornithine for reduction of toxic GAA levels. This study represents the first long-term follow-up over a period of 14 years, with detailed clinical data, biochemical and multimodal neuroimaging findings. Developmental milestones, brain MRI, quantitative single voxel 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and biochemical analyses were assessed. The results reveal insights into the dose dependent effects of creatine/ornithine supplementation and expand the phenotypic spectrum of GAMT deficiency. Of note, the creatine concentrations, which were regularly monitored over a long follow-up period, increased significantly over time, but did not reach age matched control ranges. Our patient is the second reported to show normal neurocognitive outcome after an initial delay, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M. Marten
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ralph Krätzner
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany
| | - Gajja S. Salomons
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Dept of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases and Dept of Pediatrics Emma Children's Hospital, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matilde Fernandez Ojeda
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Dept of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases and Dept of Pediatrics Emma Children's Hospital, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Dechent
- MR-Research in Neurosciences, Department of Cognitive Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jutta Gärtner
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany
| | - Peter Huppke
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Jena University Hospital, Germany
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Yıldız Y, Ardıçlı D, Göçmen R, Yalnızoğlu D, Topçu M, Coşkun T, Tokatlı A, Haliloğlu G. Electro-clinical features and long-term outcomes in guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2024; 49:66-72. [PMID: 38394710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes in patients with guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency with a special emphasis on seizures and electroencephalography (EEG) findings. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and molecular characteristics, seizure types, EEG findings, neuroimaging features, clinical severity scores, and treatment outcomes in six patients diagnosed with GAMT deficiency. RESULTS Median age at presentation and diagnosis were 11.5 months (8-12 months) and 63 months (18 months -11 years), respectively. Median duration of follow-up was 14 years. Global developmental delay (6/6) and seizures (5/6) were the most common symptoms. Four patients presented with febrile seizures. The age at seizure-onset ranged between 8 months and 4 years. Most common seizure types were generalized tonic seizures (n = 4) and motor seizures resulting in drop attacks (n = 3). Slow background activity (n = 5) and generalized irregular sharp and slow waves (n = 3) were the most common EEG findings. Burst-suppression and electrical status epilepticus during slow-wave sleep (ESES) pattern was present in one patient. Three of six patients had drug-resistant epilepsy. Post-treatment clinical severity scores showed improvement regarding movement disorders and epilepsy. All patients were seizure-free in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Epilepsy is one of the main symptoms in GAMT deficiency with various seizure types and non-specific EEG findings. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial for better seizure and cognitive outcomes. This long-term follow up study highlights to include cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes in the differential diagnosis of patients with global developmental delay and epilepsy and describes the course under treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yılmaz Yıldız
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Metabolism and Nutrition, Turkey.
| | - Didem Ardıçlı
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey
| | - Rahşan Göçmen
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Turkey.
| | - Dilek Yalnızoğlu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey.
| | - Meral Topçu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey
| | - Turgay Coşkun
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Metabolism and Nutrition, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Tokatlı
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Metabolism and Nutrition, Turkey.
| | - Göknur Haliloğlu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey.
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Ream MA, Lam WK, Grosse SD, Ojodu J, Jones E, Prosser LA, Rose AM, Comeau AM, Tanksley S, Powell CM, Kemper AR. Evidence and Recommendation for Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase Deficiency Newborn Screening. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2023062100. [PMID: 37465909 PMCID: PMC10527896 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-062100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of creatine biosynthesis due to pathogenic variants in the GAMT gene that lead to cerebral creatine deficiency and neurotoxic levels of guanidinoacetate. Untreated, GAMT deficiency is associated with hypotonia, significant intellectual disability, limited speech development, recurrent seizures, behavior problems, and involuntary movements. The birth prevalence of GAMT deficiency is likely between 0.5 and 2 per million live births. On the basis of small case series and sibling data, presymptomatic treatment with oral supplements of creatine, ornithine, and sodium benzoate, and a protein-restricted diet to reduce arginine intake, appear to substantially improve health and developmental outcomes. Without newborn screening, diagnosis typically happens after the development of significant impairment, when treatment has limited utility. GAMT deficiency newborn screening can be incorporated into the tandem-mass spectrometry screening that is already routinely used for newborn screening, with about 1 per 100 000 newborns screening positive. After a positive screen, diagnosis is established by finding an elevated guanidinoacetate concentration and low creatine concentration in the blood. Although GAMT deficiency is significantly more rare than other conditions included in newborn screening, the feasibility of screening, the low number of positive results, the relative ease of diagnosis, and the expected benefit of presymptomatic dietary therapy led to a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that GAMT deficiency be added to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. This recommendation was accepted in January 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margie A. Ream
- Division of Child Neurology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Wendy K.K. Lam
- Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Scott D. Grosse
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jelili Ojodu
- Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth Jones
- Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Lisa A. Prosser
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Angela M. Rose
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anne Marie Comeau
- New England Newborn Screening Program, Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Susan Tanksley
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Laboratory Services Section, Austin, Texas
| | - Cynthia M. Powell
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alex R. Kemper
- Division of Primary Care Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
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Tise CG, Palma MJ, Cusmano-Ozog KP, Matalon DR. Creatine Transporter Deficiency Presenting as Failure to Thrive: A Case Report of a Novel SLC6A8 Variant Causing a Treatable but Likely Underdiagnosed Genetic Disorder. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2023; 11:23247096231154438. [PMID: 36752093 PMCID: PMC9909053 DOI: 10.1177/23247096231154438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes (CCDS) are a rare group of inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) that often present with nonspecific findings including global developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability (ID), seizures, hypotonia, and behavioral differences. Creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency is the most common CCDS, exhibiting X-linked inheritance and an estimated prevalence as high as 2.6% in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we present a 20-month-old boy with worsening failure to thrive (FTT) and GDD admitted for evaluation. He was found to have persistently low serum creatinine levels and a family history notable for a mother with learning disabilities and a maternal male cousin with GDD. Urine analyses revealed a marked elevation of creatine and elevated creatine:creatinine ratio suggestive of CRTR deficiency. Molecular genetic testing of SLC6A8 identified a maternally inherited hemizygous variant and brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) showed diffusely diminished creatine peaks, further supporting the diagnosis of CRTR deficiency. The proband was started on creatine, arginine, and glycine supplementation and has demonstrated improved development. This case highlights that CRTR deficiency should be considered in all patients presenting with FTT and abnormal neurodevelopmental features, particularly if creatinine levels are low on serum chemistry studies. The nonspecific presentation of this condition in males and females likely has resulted in CRTR deficiency being underdiagnosed. There are existing therapies for individuals affected with CRTR deficiency and other CCDS, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for affected individuals.
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Wojcik M, Morrissey M, Borden K, Teta B, Sicko R, Showers A, Sunny S, Caggana M. Method modification to reduce false positives for newborn screening of guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency. Mol Genet Metab 2022; 135:186-192. [PMID: 35120844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2022.01.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in reduced activity of guanidinoacetate methyltransferase, an accumulation of guanidinoacetate (GUAC), and a lack of cerebral creatine (CRE). Lack of CRE in the brain can cause intellectual disability, autistic-like behavior, seizures, and movement disorders. Identification at birth and immediate therapy can prevent intellectual disability and seizures. If started early in life, treatment with creatine supplements is highly effective. Because there are reliable biomarkers for GAMT deficiency, GUAC and CRE, and because the disorder is readily treatable with a significant improvement in outcomes, GAMT deficiency is an excellent candidate for newborn screening. Several programs have conducted pilot programs or started screening. An isobaric interferant of the GUAC marker has been reported which may cause false positive results. To reduce the number of false positives, a second-tier HPLC test to separate GUAC from unknown, isobaric interferants may be incorporated into the screening algorithm. New York State began screening for GAMT deficiency in October 2018 using a three-tiered screening approach. Quantification of GUAC and CRE were incorporated into routine screening for amino acids and acylcarnitines. In the first year of screening a total of 263,739 samples were tested for GAMT deficiency. Of these, 3382 required second tier testing. After second tier testing, 210 repeat specimens were requested for borderline results and 10 referrals were made to specialty care centers for confirmatory testing. In the first year of screening there were no confirmed cases of GAMT deficiency detected. To reduce the number of samples needing second tier testing and the number false positives we explored the use of a second MS transition to confirm the identity of the GUAC marker. GUAC and its internal standard are detected as butylated esters after sample preparation and derivatization. The original method used transition of the GUAC molecular ion of m/z 174.1 to a reactant ion of m/z 101.1. To confirm the identity of the GUAC marker we selected a qualifier ion of 174.1 > 73. The alternative product ion results were found to agree more closely with the second tier HPLC-MS/MS results for GUAC. It was found that the alternative transition may be used for quantification of the GUAC marker with acceptable analytical performance (linearity, accuracy, and precision). On March 5, 2020, the method of analysis for GUAC was modified to use the alternative product ion. For a comparable 6-month period, the modified method reduced the number of samples requiring second tier testing by 98%, reduced the number of borderline results requiring a repeat sample by 87.5%, and reduced the number of referrals to specialty care centers by 85%. Using the modified method, the correlation (r-squared) of the first and second tier screening results for GUAC is greater than 0.95. Since the first-tier results correlate well with the second-tier results, the second-tier screening is no longer necessary with the modified method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wojcik
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Mark Morrissey
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA.
| | - Kimberly Borden
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Bianca Teta
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Robert Sicko
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Showers
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Sherly Sunny
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Michele Caggana
- Newborn Screening Program, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
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