N-Acetyltyrosine as a Biomarker for Newborn Screening
Author Information
Author(s): Pickens C. Austin, Sah Samyukta, Chandrappa Rahul, Isenberg Samantha L., Courtney Elya R., Lim Timothy, Chace Donald H., Lee Rachel, Cuthbert Carla, Petritis Konstantinos, Borrajo Gustavo J. C.
Primary Institution: Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
N-acetyltyrosine (NAT) could be used as a blood-based biomarker of parenteral nutrition (PN) administration in newborn screening assays.
Conclusion
NAT can help identify misannotated newborns who received parenteral nutrition, potentially reducing false positive rates in newborn screening.
Supporting Evidence
- NAT was present in 74 of 80 neonates with reported PN administration.
- NAT levels were positively correlated with other amino acids present in PN solutions.
- NAT detection can help reduce false positives in newborn screening for metabolic disorders.
Takeaway
This study found that a substance called N-acetyltyrosine can show if premature babies received special nutrition through an IV, helping doctors avoid mistakes in testing.
Methodology
Residual dried blood spots were analyzed using flow injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) to detect NAT.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the reliance on correct annotation of PN status on dried blood spot cards.
Limitations
The study relied on residual samples, which may not provide complete data on PN administration timing and type.
Participant Demographics
Neonates administered parenteral nutrition in a clinical setting.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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