Experiences in expanded newborn screening

With the change of the child health guidelines the expanded newborn screening became part of the catalogue of benefits of the compulsory health insurance. The advantage of the expanded newborn screening is the early finding and treatment of fatty acid disorders. Thereby, new standards of birth clinics, paediatricians and midwifes as well as the screening laboratories and the metabolism centres have to be met. A good cooperation, the correct time of blood collection (36-72 hours after birth) and a prompt delivery of samples are necessary to make a correct diagnosis and start treatment on time.