Screening the Newborn Population of Wales by the Woolf Technique

Abstract

The Woolf technique for screening for inborn errors of metabolism by urine chromatography and spot tests has been applied to the screening of all infants born in Wales (approximately 47 000 per annum). With the method as used at the present time, the same sample can reveal, not only phenylketonuria, but also six other abnormal urinary constituents. The method causes no disturbance to the baby and almost total coverage of the population (above 98%) has been achieved.