Pku? Wwyd?

[crazyeight]

Well my ped. wants to do a seond PKU test. The birth center did one when she was 4 days old. From what i understand this is a "genetic" test that is looking for how she processes protien??? And screens for other processing problems she may have. The nurse said it was a test performed on all newborns but I didn't have to do this in Oklahoma with ds so I don't know what to think about it. DD is doing great. She gained a lb in the last week alone. I really don't want to have to take her for more poking and prodding for no reason. Theres no family history to suggest that we need to screen her at all.

Anyone know anything about these tests, the importance and the pointlessness scale of it????
TIA

[jenmamahen]

Do you know why your ped wants to do a repeat test? I know that sometimes peds will repeat a test if the first one was given within 24 hours of birth, as these are less accurate, but if it was given at 4 days, it should be valid. I'd call the ped and ask why.

[maciascl]

In CA it is a standard test that test for over 30 metabolic diseases in addition to PKU. DS was only tested once, but I've heard that it is commonly done 2x. Although I don't know why. Here is a thread about the test with lots of info. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=489105 I think alot of the info was not very positive about the test, but for what it's worth I have decided to go ahead & have it done, however I am going to wait until after my milk has come in to do it.

[crazyeight]

yeah its routinely done 2x here. my milk had just come in (maybe 2-3 feedings) when she got the first test done. although i am sure its a test that can show alot of problems they have to take quite a bit of blood for such a little body and she cries and cries. thanks for the link.

[sesta]

As far as I understand it, it should be done about 24 hours of the baby's birth for it to be accurate. I had a hospital VBAC this time and opted to have my baby tested however had to do it twice because I requested an early discharge. At the hospital I gave birth at they do the PKU test at 24hours when mom and baby are discharged. Since I was discharged 12 hours after birth they did the test at 12hours and told me to come back in another 12 hours to ensure accuracy. Otherwise it's only done once. They did the first test in case I wouldn't come back for the second one. I

It also wasn't to bad, my baby didn't even flinch. I nursed her while the nurse held a warm washcloth to her heel to bring the blood to the surface, then pricked her. The blood flowed out easily and the test was over in no time.