Metabolic Formula

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) provides metabolic formula to individuals born with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Homocystinuria. Without these special formulas, individuals, especially infants and young children, may develop brain damage and mental retardation. Every year in Ohio, 12-15 babies are born with PKU and one to two babies are born with Homocystinuria. It is recommended that individuals with these diseases remain on formula for their lifetime.

Babies born with these disorders are identified through Ohio’s newborn screening program which tests a sample of newborns’ blood for these, and other disorders. The families of babies with abnormal test results are contacted to receive a second confirmatory test. Those babies with confirmed PKU or Homocystinuria are referred to physicians and dietitians specializing in metabolic disorders and housed in children’s hospitals around the state.

The ODH provides the metabolic formula through a contract with a pharmacy that orders, stores, and ships the formula to the program participant’s home. The pharmacy bills private insurance, Medicaid, the (ODH) Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps Program, the (ODH) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, or the (ODH) Bureau of Early Intervention Program. The formula is provided at no cost to the participant.

The ODH provides formula to approximately 400 individuals in Ohio, at a cost of approximately $600,000 per year.

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Metabolic Formula Program
246 North High Street
P.O. Box 118
Columbus, OH 43216-0118

Telephone: (614) 644-8389
Fax: (614) 564-2431

E-mail: BCMH@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 11/21/00