Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
23:56

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model

Published on: October 31, 2010

Cost effectiveness of establishing a neonatal screening programme for phenylketonuria in Libya

Erikas Sladkevicius1, Rodney J Pollitt, Ali Mgadmi

  • 1CATALYST Health Economics Consultants Ltd, Northwood, Middlesex, UK.

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy
|November 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Introducing neonatal screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) in Libya is a cost-effective strategy. This initiative is projected to save millions and significantly improve public health outcomes by detecting PKU early.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in North Africa and the Middle East.
  • Libya is considering implementing neonatal screening for phenylketonuria (PKU), with future plans to expand to other IEMs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of neonatal screening for PKU in Libya compared to no screening.
  • To provide economic data to support the potential implementation of a national PKU screening program.

Main Methods:

  • A decision model was developed to analyze the cost-effectiveness from a societal perspective.
  • Expert opinion was utilized to determine healthcare resource use and other input parameters for the model.

Main Results:

  • Neonatal screening for PKU is estimated to save Libyan society approximately $US107.6 million over the lifetime of patients.
  • The screening program is projected to gain 6947 life-years, with a negative cost per life-year gained (-$US15,500).
  • The program demonstrates a 90% return on investment and has a high probability (0.95) of being cost-effective.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal screening for PKU presents a cost-effective strategy for Libyan society.
  • The findings support the implementation of a national PKU screening program in Libya.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia13:13

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

Published on: August 24, 2011

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings19:57

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings

Published on: March 30, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...