PKU testing

Our state laws (Michigan) say that newborns must be tested between 24 and 36 hours. They can be tested earlier, but they will need to be retested once they are over 24-36 hours.

I would think that this would be a nation-wide policy. Some of the things they are testing for (ie thyroid) will be different in the same newborn when they are 12 hours old verses 24 hours old.

We don't do our PKU testing until baby is between 48-72 hours old. Been the same at every hospital I have worked in the state of Indiana. I think its state law here but maybe its not. We don't dare do it at 12 hours. Hmmmm....

We must wait a minimum of 24 hours from birth (Illinois hospital)

I dont work in OB but I can tell you that when my sons were born they did 1 PKU around 12 hours and then another after 24 hours.

Babies should be drinking breast milk or formula for 24 hours before the blood sample is taken. PKU test results are more likely to be correct if the blood sample is taken after the baby has been drinking milk or formula for at least 48 hours.

If the baby is older than 6 weeks, he or she will have a PKU urine test. You do not need to do anything before the baby has this test.

We had a number of early DC patients who went home prior to 24 hours of age. We did the initial PKU immediately prior to DC, and sent it to the state marked "Repeat Needed". Most parents were responsible and returned to the hospital lab for a repeat in the next few days, but if not, the State assisted us in following-up with those parents.

How interesting to see how other states do things!!

I live in Florida, we do our PKU's at 48 hours of age. The hospitals in our county do them before the baby is discharged, and as long as it is before discharge, they are pretty lax about when it gets done. It doesn't have to be done right at 48 hrs. At the earliest with all of our pediatricians except for one group, it gets done at 48 hrs.

The one group that is the exception likes theirs done at 24 hours, then they repeat a PKU in their office when the baby is 5 days old. Not sure what the rationale for that is, but we comply with their wishes.

Those of you that get the PKU's at 12 and 24 hours, I am curious, what is the reasoning for getting them so early?? I am just asking, because I don't know. I was always told that PKU's should be done after a minimum of 24 hours of protein feedings because the metabolic disorders that are being tested for show up best after at least 24 hours of protein feedings.

Thanks for your answers in advance.

I have to say, I absolutely LOVE this website. I learn so much from all of you ladies and gentlemen, and it is wonderful to know when I have a question about something, I can come here, and someone can help me with the answers!!:)

At our hospital we do them after 24 hours of age. For those that have them done earlier because they insist on leaving before 24 hours then they have to come back for a second test. By reading the PKU slip in our state it states any time after 24 hours, but they don't like them earlier than that.