Serum phenylalanine screening
Alternative names:
phenylalanine; phenylalanine, serum
How the test is performed:
Infant:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. Three drops of blood are placed in three separate test circles on a piece of paper. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
The test paper is taken to the laboratory where it is mixed with a type of bacteria that needs phenylalanine to grow, and another substance that inhibits phenylalanine from reacting with anything else.
How to prepare for the test:
Infants and children:
For the physical and psychological preparation you can provide for your child, see the following topic:
How the test will feel:
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed:
This test is performed on infants to screen for PKU. If the defect is detected early, the severe side effects may be avoided through diet modification.
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