J Lab Med Qual Assur.  2018 Sep;40(3):136-148. 10.15263/jlmqa.2018.40.3.136.

Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Metabolite Testing in Korea (2016–2017)

• Lee SY

• KMID: 2437180
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15263/jlmqa.2018.40.3.136

Abstract

External quality assessment (EQA) trials of conventional newborn screening tests for phenylketonuria, galactosemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, maple syrup urine disease, homocystinuria, and congenital hypothyroidism, as well as extended newborn screening tests using tandem mass spectrometry, were performed twice in 2016 and 2017. A total of 44 specimens in the form of dried blood spots were distributed in each trial to 16 laboratories. The response rate of these laboratories was 100%. The mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, median, and cut-offs were evaluated for each analyte in the newborn screening tests. EQA trials for the analyses of methylmalonic acid, vanillylmandelic acid, catecholamines, metanephrines, organic acids, and amino acids were also performed. A well-designed EQA program and continuous education would improve the performance of metabolite testing.

Keyword

External quality assessment; Newborn screening; Tandem mass spectrometry; Amino acid; Organic acid; Metabolite

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
Amino Acids
Catecholamines
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Education
Galactosemias
Homocystinuria
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Korea*
Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Mass Screening
Methylmalonic Acid
Phenylketonurias
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Vanilmandelic Acid
Amino Acids
Catecholamines
Methylmalonic Acid
Vanilmandelic Acid