Guthrie test why? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

thesergeant · 05-03-2007, 02:53 AM

Dear all,

I'm new to this site, what a wonderful resource it is

Could I have advice comments upon the application of this test.

Our new baby is No.4 in the family. Our previous 3 have had this test which has been a very traumatic experience for them all.

Our previous 3 had negative results, ie no problems what so ever. There are no additional risks for any of the conditions tested for with Guthries, within our known families.

As my wife is 40, we had all the tests Nuchal fold, amniocentesis etc all with negative results.

Having read up on what the Guthrie tests for, compared to the amnio, the fact my wife is breastfeeding, previous "all clears" with siblings, no family history additional risks, we can see no benefit to the Guthrie test and wish to save out new addition from the distress.

The midwife was rather put out when we declined.

Are we right in our thoughts on this matter ??

Mom22greatkids · 05-03-2007, 09:52 AM

Is that the PKU test? I had it done on my three children because I wanted to know if there were any abnormalties. When they were taking blood for my third child she didn't even wake up during it! I don't think that the tests your wife had in pregnancy have anything to do with what they test for in the PKU test.

thesergeant · 05-03-2007, 10:42 AM

Looking at what the Amnio and Guthrie test for there are many similarities.

From BUPA
Amniocentesis can identify certain disorders in the fetus including:
* chromosome conditions, such as Down's syndrome (trisomy 21) and Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18)1
* musculoskeletal disorders, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis or spina bifida (where the spinal cord doesn't develop correctly)2
* blood disorders, such as haemophilia, thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia2
* metabolic disorders, such as phenylketonuria or antitrypsin deficiency2

Guthrie test
* Phenylketonuria all UK areas
* Congenital Hypothyroidism all UK areas
* Cystic Fibrosis most UK areas
* MCAD Deficiency fewer UK areas
* Sickle Cell Disease fewer UK areas

You must have been lucky with the heel ***** test, our three that have had it, screamed the house down and weren't happy for a day or so afterwards. Having looked a bit more into it this time, especially after the Amnio, combined with our known family medical history its seems that it is a surplus test in our case. I think the test, for all the right reasons, is now routinely applied to everyone no matter what, unless it is declined.