[Selective screening for organic acidurias (author's transl)]

The difference between mass screening of all newborns and selective screening of certain sick newborns is defined and the characteristic clinical features of organic acidurias are outlined. According to own experiences during the last 5 years, the author pleads for the introduction of a systematically performed selective screening for organic acidurias by gas chromatography on all hospitalized pediatric patients showing symptoms suggesting inborn errors of metabolism. Two or three well equipped laboratories should be enough to cover demands for all the pediatric beds in the Federal Republic of Germany. Some results of our selective screening for organic acidurias are presented.