The Guthrie test is a medical test performed on newborns to detect phenylketonuria, an inborn error of amino acid metabolism.

The test has been widely used throughout North America and Europe as one of the core newborn screening tests since the late 1960s. In recent years it is gradually being replaced in many areas by newer techniques such as tandem mass spectrometry that can detect a wider variety of congenital diseases. The Guthrie test is named after Robert Guthrie, an American bacteriologist and physician, who devised it in 1962.

Why do we screen babies?

• To enable early detection of pre-symptomatic babies
• To ensure early treatment to improve health

What do we screen for ?

• Phenylketonuria
• Congenital hypothyroidism
• Sickle cell disorders
• Cystic fibrosis

How do we screen?

Taking the blood spot involves balancing the need to collect sufficient blood, with the potential for discomfort for the baby and unease for the parents. The following procedures have been drawn from the Newborn blood spot screening in the UK Health Professional Handbook (2006) to ensure the procedure goes as smoothly as possible.

Procedure for Performing Heel Prick for Newborn Blood Spot Screening

Click the image below.
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References
http://www.wirralpct.nhs.uk/document..._procedure.pdf