Newborns are routinely screened for phenylketonuria. The nursery nurse ensures that this screening test is performed:

Question

Options

• AImmediately after birth, because the most accurate result is obtained at this time
• BAfter 2-3 days of milk ingestion
• CAt 2-3 days of age regardless of amount of milk feedings
• DAt 1 month, because the biochemical buildup of phenylalanine takes 1 month to detect

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  94% (31)
• C
  3% (1)

Explanation

(A) The infant has not ingested any protein immediately after birth, which is necessary to detect excessive serum phenylalanine. (B) It is important that the infant take in 2-3 full days of milk or formula feedings to preclude a false-negative reading. (C) At 2-3 days of age, inadequate milk could have been ingested owing to a delay in the initial (D) The biochemical buildup of serumphenylalanine is detectable after 2-3 days of milk or formula

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