Abstract
A new method for the detection of hyperammonemia, using a kit based on the principle of microdiffusion of ammonia, is described. The method requires only one drop of blood and takes only 15 min to complete. Experiments for recovery and reproducibility were satisfactory, and good correlation was obtained when compared with an enzymatic method for blood ammonia determination. The new method is considered to be useful for routine, low-cost mass-screening of newborn infants for hyperammonemia. It will also be useful for monitoring blood ammonia levels at the bedside in cases with hepatic disease or receiving parenteral nutrition.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Johnson, J. D., Albritton, W. L., Sunshine, P.: Hyperammonemia accompanying parenteral nutrition in newborn infants. J. Pediatr. 81, 154–161 (1972)
Mondzak, A., Ehrlich, G. E., Seegmiller, J. E.: An enzymatic determination of ammonia in biological fluid. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 66, 526–531 (1965)
Shih, V. E.: Urea cycle disorders and other congenital hyperammonemic syndromes. In: The metabolic basis of inherited disease (J. B. Stanbury, J. B. Wyngaarden, D. S. Fredrickson, eds.), pp. 362–386. New York: McGraw-Hill 1978
Snyderman, S. E., Sansaricq, C., Phansalkar, S. V., Schacht, R. G., Norton, P. M.: The therapy of hyperammonemia in a male neonate. Pediatrics 56, 65–73 (1975)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tada, K., Okuda, K., Watanabe, K. et al. A new method for screening for hyperammonemia. Eur J Pediatr 130, 105–110 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442347
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442347