Newborn Screening

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a rare genetic disorder that typically presents with progressive multisystem involvement in early childhood. This condition results from the deficiency of the enzyme, alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA), which is responsible for breaking down complex sugars called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

Mayo Clinic’s Biochemical Genetics Laboratory has announced an updated second-tier test to detect Krabbe disease (KD) that uses psychosine (PSY) as a disease marker. The new test method has significantly higher sensitivity to detect this devastating disease in infants and allows identification of KD patients with minimal psychosine elevations.

The algorithm can be viewed here.

In cases of sudden or unexpected death, autopsy evaluation can include a biochemical analysis to identify deaths caused by fatty acid oxidation disorders.