Skip to main content
Log in

Tandem mass spectrometry: A new method for acylcarnitine profiling with potential for neonatal screening for inborn errors of metabolism

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease

Conclusion

A method for analysis of acylcarnitines in blood at physiological concentrations has been developed. Preliminary results from umbilical cord blood and neonatal blood spotted onto Guthrie cards are encouraging. This method will detect up to at least eight inherited metabolic disorders which exhibit diagnostic acylcarnitine profiles, including medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. The speed and simplicity of the method permit automation with existing technology, and could enable routine neonatal screening to be carried out in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Millington, D. S., Norwood, D. L., Kodo, N., Roe, C. R. and Inoue, F. Application of fast atom bombardment with tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to the analysis of acylcarnitines in human urine, blood and tissue.Anal. Biochem. 180 (1989) 331–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Roe, C. R., Millington, D. S. and Maltby, D. A. Diagnostic and therapeutic implications of acylcarnitine profiling in organic acidurias associated with carnitine insufficiency. In Borum, P. R. (ed.),Clinical Aspects of Human Carnitine Deficiency, Pergamon Press, New York; 1986, pp 97–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Valkner, K. O. and Bieber, L. L. Short-chain acylcarnitines of human blood and urine.Biochem. Med. 28 (1982) 197–203.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Millington, D.S., Kodo, N., Norwood, D.L. et al. Tandem mass spectrometry: A new method for acylcarnitine profiling with potential for neonatal screening for inborn errors of metabolism. J Inherit Metab Dis 13, 321–324 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01799385

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01799385

Keywords

Navigation