[Model project for updating neonatal screening in Bavaria: concept and initial results]

The newborn screening programme in Bavaria was confronted with several problems. Number of disorders and process quality no longer complied with screening guidelines. Mixed financing, distributed between the state (PKU, galactosaemia) and health insurances (hypothyroidism) had promoted an increasing dissipation of the system. Notified participation rates had dropped to < 80%. Increasing need for a second screening due to early discharge was an additional challenge. To overcome these problems, and considering the availability of improved screening methodology (tandem mass spectrometry) the programme was reorganised. The project, which started on Jan 1, 1999, is based on a cooperation model between laboratory (logistics, analysis), universities (treatment, scientific evaluation), and public health services (coordination, tracking). Time of blood sampling was predated to the third day of life. Screening was extended to biotinidase deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and by introduction of tandem mass spectrometry for screening of many other disorders (besides PKU). Insurances now finance complete laboratory analysis which was transferred to the private sector. To enable all newborn to participate, the names of screened children are matched against birth lists by public health services on a regional basis. Recalls and conspicuous results are consistently followed up until disorders are either excluded or confirmed. Two clinical hotlines were established in the children's hospitals of the universities in Munich (Southern Bavaria) and in Erlangen (Northern Bavaria). Written consent is required for participation in the programme. Participation in the new programme could be continually increased; coverage is > 95% since April. In several cases screening was made up for not tested children by contacting their parents. Omitted screening was mostly due to misunderstandings regarding testing responsibility or lost samples. Altogether 52 cases of disorder were found in the 87,000 newborn screened until August 1999. Hence, the detection rate of children affected by inborn errors of metabolism was about twice as high than before changes. Among the newly screened diseases CAH was detected most often (11 cases). In 22 cases diagnosis was based on the use of tandem mass spectrometry. Among these (besides PKU, 9 cases) MCAD deficiency (6 cases) was detected most frequently. Whereas recall rates of most disorders were < 0.1%, screening for CAH still revealed a high recall rate, particularly in premature births. Second screening due to early discharge (< 48 h) was required in 1.3%. About 20% of pending recalls required contacting birth hospitals, doctors, midwives or parents. So far all affected children could be brought to treatment in time.