Diagnosis and Treatment of Newborns Referred to the Metabolism Department From the National Newborn Screening Program in Türkiye: A 5-Year Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate biochemical and genetic tests and treatment plans of newborns referred to our center with inherited metabolic disorders screened in Türkiye National Newborn Screening Program (NNSP). Material and Methods: The medical records of babies referred by the NNSP between January 2019 and November 2023 were scanned retrospectively. Plasma biotinidase activity and the biotinidase gene (BTD) analysis results for suspected biotinidase deficiency (BD), the plasma phenylalanine and phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH) analysis for a suspicion of phenylketonuria (PKU) were documented with treatment information. Results: A total of 143 babies, 78 (54.5%) with suspected BD and 65 (45.5%) with suspected PKU were included. A PAH gene analysis was performed on 23 (35.4%) of those had high plasma phenylalanine levels, among which 86.9% were identified with the biallelic variant. Five patients were started on sapropterin-diet combined therapy, three on diet therapy and one on sapropterin therapy. In the first serum biotinidase activity measurement of babies referred with suspected BD, a heterozygous deficiency was detected in 48.7%, partial deficiency in 39.7% and profound deficiency in 10.3%. A BTD gene analysis was performed on 79.5% of those with suspected BD, and biallelic variants were detected in 50%. Forty-six patients (59.0%) underwent biotin treatment. Conclusion: In our study, approximately one-third of the babies referred from NNSP over the five-year course of the study had biallelic variants of the relevant disease. Our research is one of the few studies on NNSP in our country and presents the diagnosis and treatment process of PKU and BD.