We conducted a pilot newborn screening (NBS) study for Pompe disease (PD) and mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) in the multiethnic population of Georgia. We screened 59,332 infants using a two-tier strategy of flow injection tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MSMS) enzyme assays. The first tier of testing was a 2-plex assay measuring PD and MPS I enzyme activity, followed by a second-tier test with additional enzymes to improve specificity. Interpretation of results was performed using post-analytical tools created using Collaborative Laboratory Integrated Reports (CLIR). We identified a single case of infantile onset PD, two cases of late onset PD, and one pseudodeficiency. The positive predictive value (PPV) for PD screening during the study was 66.7%. No cases of MPS I were identified during the study period, but there were 2 confirmed cases of pseudodeficiency and 6 cases lost to follow up. The two-tier screening strategy was successful in reducing false positive results and allowed for the identification and early treatment of a case of infantile PD but the frequency of pseudodeficiency in MPS I is problematic. Molecular testing is required and should be covered by the screening program to avoid delays in case resolution.

We screened 51,081 newborns for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) using a two-tiered strategy quantifying very long chain lysophosphatadylcholines (LPC). Our testing strategy used flow injection tandem mass spectrometry for the first-tier analysis of LPCs, and second-tier quantification of C26:0 LPC using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. There were 364 specimens considered abnormal using our first-tier algorithm that relied on the four LPC measurements and post-analytical tools. Second-tier test results were reported as normal or abnormal based on a cutoff for the single analyte, C26:0 LPC. Eleven cases were reported as abnormal based on second-tier test results. One male with ALD was identified, and two females with peroxisomal biogenesis disorders were also identified. A single female case remains unresolved, due to a loss to follow up after a negative molecular test result for ABCD1 gene sequencing. The positive predictive value for confirmed, clinically relevant disorders during this pilot study was 27.3%. Challenges identified during the study period were based around coverage for confirmatory testing, particularly if family members needed molecular testing, which is an ongoing issue with newborn screening in Georgia. We also encountered issues with the follow up for a patient who remained asymptomatic. Due to the different timelines involved with clinical findings in ALD, follow-up coordination may be more difficult, particularly if the child identified by newborn screening (NBS) is the only member of the family affected, or able to be tested.

Georgia uses post-analytical tools through Collaborative Laboratory Integrated Reports (CLIR) to triage abnormal newborn screening (NBS) results for follow-up. Condition specific tools are used to assign each case a risk level, which is used to guide follow-up recommendations. Follow-up recommendations include assessment by the child’s primary care provider as well as testing, either a repeat NBS or confirmatory testing. Triaging abnormal cases using these tools has been advantageous in managing the workflow for the follow-up team, as well as prioritizing cases that appropriately require more attention and resources. The initial goal in utilizing these tools was to reduce the amount of confirmatory testing, particularly for disorders where there are many false positives. We assessed the performance of these tools retrospectively for three of the most commonly detected conditions by tandem mass spectrometry in Georgia: phenylketonuria, medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and very long chain dehydrogenase deficiency. The post-analytical tools appropriately assigned all true positive cases to the higher levels of follow-up testing and reduced the level of intervention for a significant number of cases as well. Based on the experience gained from our utilization of the tools in the follow-up program, we are well situated to move forward with using the tools in a more prospective manner, and reduce the number of cases that will be reported, rather than just assigning resources appropriately at follow-up. Post-analytical tools are an improvement over trying to capture the variation in the newborn population using multiple cutoffs. It also easily identifies significant abnormalities that are unrelated to inherited disease, such as large amino acid elevations due to total parenteral nutrition.

Early diagnosis by newborn screening (NBS) has contributed to improved outcomes in children with cystic fibrosis (CwCF). Georgia’s two-tiered algorithm consists of a fixed immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) cut-off followed by a 39-variant CFTR genetic panel. We conducted a retrospective review of CwCF born in Georgia from 2007 to 2022 to evaluate false negative NBS frequency. We characterized CwCF whose diagnosis was delayed beyond 28 days of age despite positive NBS. Six cases were detailed demonstrating the impact of missed and delayed diagnoses. We examined IRT trends from 2018 to 2022 and cut-off approaches. Missed case detection by expanded CFTR variant assays was assessed. Of 390 CwCF born in Georgia, 18 (4.6%) had false negative NBS—6 due to lack of CFTR variant detection and 12 due to low IRT values. Thirty children had delayed diagnosis, with the majority related to sweat testing. Minoritized children made up 19% of the population but 43% of missed and 44% of delayed diagnoses. Black and Hispanic infants had higher odds of missed or delayed diagnosis compared to non-Hispanic White infants (OR = 2.7, p = 0.027 and OR = 6.1, p < 0.001, respectively). Average IRT values varied across kits and were lower in warmer seasons. Expanded CFTR assays would reduce missed cases. Our results informed recommendations for improvement at multiple steps in the NBS process.