SECURING A CHILD’S FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT
Some babies are born with metabolic
disorders in which their bodies suffer
from an enzyme deficiency, resulting in
a rise of toxic substances or a deficiency
of critical constituents. If left untreated,
inherited metabolic disorders, also
known as inborn errors of metabolism,
can lead to developmental delays
and lifelong complications, such as
intellectual disability, physical disability
and in some cases, even death.
Even though these disorders may be
rare, early diagnosis and intervention
can significantly help improve their
condition, making a huge difference
between lifetime impairment and
healthy development. In the case
of an inherited metabolic disorder,
this occurs when both parents, each
carrying a defective copy of a gene,
may unknowingly pass down the
genetic defect that will manifest as a
metabolic disorder in the child.
NEWBORN SCREENING AND ITS
BENEFITS
As babies affected by inborn errors of
metabolism may appear healthy and
normal at birth, newborn screening,
usually performed within the first week
after birth, is vital for early detection,
diagnosis, and intervention to prevent
death or disability. In the case where
one’s baby is affected by a disorder
or illness, newborn screening plays
an important role in ensuring timely
treatment and a healthier development.
Affected babies who do not undergo
newborn screening often spend
months or even years going through
countless medical tests in an attempt
to find out the nature of the illness.
A lack of proper and accurate
diagnosis, followed by an appropriate
intervention, often results in frequent
and intensive hospitalisation, or even
fatality. Early detection can determine if
one’s child is safe from complications or
disorders, thus giving parents a peace
of mind.
METASCREEN, A COMPREHENSIVE
METABOLIC SCREENING TEST FOR
NEWBORN BABIES
As the first of Cordlife’s new product
and service offerings in diagnostics,
Metascreen is a comprehensive
metabolic screening test designed
for newborn babies. Compared to
other similar screening services that
require blood for testing, this is a
non-invasive and painless screening
that uses urine samples for testing and
analysis. Metascreen is a highly accurate
newborn screening test, as it combines
the use of Gas Chromatography-Mass
Spectrometry (GC/MS) with proprietary
Planar Bioinformatics to detect
metabolic disorders. This test, one of
the most comprehensive in the world,
can screen up to 110 inborn errors of
metabolism.
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CORDLIFE GROUP LIMITED
| ANNUAL REPORT 2015
BUSINESS UNIT SPOTLIGHT:
DIAGNOSTICS
