This week s ER included a storyline in which an infant with a metabolic disorder dies. The condition could have been treated had it been known, yet the infant was not screened for the disorder at birth, although the technology exists to do so. Although all states have some sort of newborn screening program in place, what is screened for varies by state.
New technology can now detect even more treatable illnesses in infants.
However, most states are not yet testing for these illnesses and they are often diagnosed only when it is too late. Following are facts on newborn screening and the new testing technology every expectant parent should know. There are thirty rare disorders that exist called inborn errors of metabolism. Some are fatty-acid disorders, others involve a toxic buildup of amino acids or organic acids. All are treatable some more successfully than others.