Don't know what kind of lab technology is in use for PKU screening in Ohio,
or anywhere else, but in Norway we went from serum testing to whole blood
testing a couple of years ago.  What food the baby has been getting is
irrelevant, as is whether they have started gaining or stooling or whatever;
the test is valid if done after 60 hours of age, because it relies on
metabolic changes that occur in people with PKU no matter what.  Optimal
timing is between 60 and 72 hours.  A week is 4 days longer than necessary,
but better late than never.  

The only other screening test we do at present is for congenital
hypothyroidism, which could be done on cord blood, but since the same lab
analyzes both tests, the blood is collected at the earliest convenient time
after 60 hours for the sake of effectiveness and simplicity.  I have picked
up cases of both conditions in babies I never would have suspected of having
a problem based on their clinical appearance on day 3 or 4.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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