People with MCAD cannot convert stored fat to blood sugar. As Anna Katherine's body ran out of blood sugar, she was unable to access her body's natural energy reserve and her blood sugar dropped to critical levels. During the past decade, screening tests for MCAD, and more than 30 similar genetic disorders, were developed. The new tests are done with a technique called Tandem Mass Spectrometry at three laboratories in the United States. For the infant, the test is no different from that currently performed in Tennessee - a small pinprick to the heel.
Blood is dropped onto a filter paper postcard and sent to the laboratory.
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