Newborn Screening

Description: 
Analysis by HPLC and if required IEF as a confirmatory test following blood spot analysis by the Regional Newborn Screening Laboratory at St Thomas' Hospital as part of the National Newborn Screening Program. The Red Cell Centre also performs DNA analysis of transfused/suspected transfused blood spot samples as part of the National Newborn Screening Program.
Reference range: 

Interpretive comment supplied

Sample type and Volume required: 
Guthrie card blood spot. Samples must be taken in accordance with the Guidelines for Newborn Bloodspot Sampling, which can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/newborn-blood-spot-screening-sampling-guidelines
Minimum 1 ml EDTA blood may be sent for high-risk pregnancies where the parents wish to know the result prior to the National Newborn Screening Program blood spot result.
For non-transfused blood spot samples, primary screening is performed by the Regional Newborn Screening Laboratory at St Thomas' Hospital. All samples are sent to this laboratory directly. Please see http://www.viapath.co.uk/departments-and-laboratories/regional-newborn-screening-laboratory-at-st-thomas for details of this department.
Turnaround time: 
Results available on Results Online within 5 working days
Special sample instructions: 

Blood transfusion within the last four months will affect results. Any red cell transfusion given must be declared on the request form. Click on the link for Guidance on Newborn screening sampling guidelines https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/newborn-blood-spot-screening-sampling-guidelines .

Storage and transport: 
Samples can be sent first class post. Blood spot samples can tested up to 3 weeks after collection and can be stored up to 25˚C; EDTA samples can be tested up to 10 days if stored at 2-8˚C.
Cost: 
Please contact Business Development for pricing enquiries
Time limit for extra tests: 
Depends on tests required. Contact laboratory for further details.
Contacts:
Red Cell Centre - Protein Laboratory
020 3299 2455
kch-tr.redcelllab@nhs.net
c/o Central Specimen Reception
Blood Sciences Laboratory
Ground Floor Bessemer Wing
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
Mon-Fri, 9.00am-5.30pm
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.

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Last updated: 27/04/2021