For immediate release
January 31, 2002

ODH expands newborn screening to add five new disorder

COLUMBUS - As of today, Ohio newborns will be screened for 12 disorders before leaving the hospital. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has added five new disorders to the seven previously covered in the state's newborn screening panel.

"Finding these problems early is key," said ODH Director J. Nick Baird, M.D. "Identifying these disorders in the infant's first few days of life, when they are treatable, can help prevent serious complications."

By adding the five disorders, ODH is following the recommendations of the Ohio Newborn Screening Advisory Committee, comprised of experts in the fields of pediatric endocrinology, metabolism, genetics and other health specialties.

Newborn screening has been recognized as one of the 50 most successful public health programs of the 20th century, Baird said. ODH has had a newborn screening program since 1965.

The new tests screen for three organic acidemia disorders and two urea cycle disorders. The organic acidemia disorders include isovaleric acidemia, methylmalonic acidemia and propionic acidemia. The urea cycle disorders are citrullinemia and argininosuccinic aciduria.

Organic acidemia disorders are inherited metabolic disorders that can lead to the accumulation of organic acids in body fluids such as blood or urine. These disorders may produce disturbances in the acid-base balance and metabolism of the body. They can cause intoxication-like symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration and coma. The symptoms can be diminished by restricting protein in the diet and, in some cases, supplementing with vitamins and carnitine.

Urea cycle disorders fall into the category of amino acid disorders. They are a group of inherited conditions in which protein metabolism is disrupted. Symptoms may include odor in the urine, irritability, poor feeding, poor muscle tone and jaundice. Urea cycle disorders symptoms may also include vomiting, lethargy, seizures and coma. The symptoms may occur shortly after birth or after an apparently normal neonatal period, defined as birth to 28 days. These disorders can be treated with a low-protein diet that strictly controls intake of specific amino acids.

Care of infants with these disorders is often complex and should involve a pediatric metabolic specialist. ODH is distributing information to all hospitals, physicians and newborn screening coordinators to help educate them about the new tests.

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Media contact: Ohio Department of Health, Office of Public Affairs: 614-644-8562.