Authors

1Ana Díaz Estrella, 2José Antonio Vaz Rodríguez

Position

1Enfermera. Hospital Ernest Lluch Martín. Calatayud (Zaragoza).2Enfermero. Hospital Ernest Lluch Martín. Calatayud (Zaragoza).

Contact address

Ana Díaz Estrella C/ Arquitecto Medarde, 17, 4º. 15030 Calatayud (Zaragoza).

Contact email: anita_diaz84@hotmail.com

Abstract

Early detection screening programs for metabolic, endocrine and congenital diseases are conducted in all autonomous communities, thus reducing the morbimortality and disabilities associated, by detecting diseases that present no clinical symptoms at the time of birth but subsequently, and which will leave major neurological consequences if not diagnosed and treated on time.
This is an easy technique, conducted by nurses, but which requires adequate training, because there are still claims by newborn screening labs regarding the reception of poorly impregnated samples, where the volume of blood absorption cannot be ensured, either due to insufficient sample or inadequate soaking. The objective of this article is to review the technique of sample collection, in order to contribute to improving the knowledge of nurses regarding the newborn heel prick, for an improvement in the quality of the blood drop samples obtained.

Keywords:

Newborn screening; heel prick test; early detection; Phenylketonuria; blood sample collection; congenital; endocrine and metabolic diseases

Versión en Español

Título:

Cribado neonatal en la Comunidad Autónoma de Aragón. Guía práctica