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What Does Guthrie Test Screen for?

James H. Sterling • • 2 min read
What Does Guthrie Test Screen for?

The Guthrie test, also called the PKU test

PKU test
Robert Guthrie introduced the newborn screening test for PKU in the early 1960s. With the knowledge that PKU could be detected before symptoms were evident, and treatment initiated, screening was quickly adopted around the world.
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, is a diagnostic tool to test infants for phenylketonuria a few days after birth. To administer the Guthrie test, doctors use Guthrie cards to collect capillary blood from an infant's heel, and the cards are saved for later testing.

What is Guthrie test testing for?

The conditions tested for are phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism and cystic fibrosis. You can choose whether you want your baby to have this test. A midwife will take a blood sample by pricking your baby's heel. A few drops are collected on a piece of card.

What diseases does the PKU test for?

Newborn Screening Tests
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is an inherited disease in which the body cannot metabolize a protein called phenylalanine. ...
  • Congenital hypothyroidism. ...
  • Galactosemia. ...
  • Sickle cell disease. ...
  • Maple syrup urine disease. ...
  • Homocystinuria. ...
  • Biotinidase deficiency. ...
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
James H. Sterling
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James H. Sterling

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.