• Ute Spiekerkoetter and Heiko Krude.
• General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, University Medical Center, Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg; Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité-University Medical Center Berlin.
• Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2022 Apr 29; 119 (17): 306316306-316.

BackgroundNeonatal screening in Germany currently comprises 19 congenital diseases, 13 of which are metabolic diseases. Approximately one in 1300 newborns suffers from one of these target diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment enable the affected children to undergo better development and even, in many cases, to have a normal life.MethodsThis review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in the PubMed and Embase databases.ResultsPositive screening findings are confirmed in approximately one out of five newborns. The prompt evaluation of suspected diagnoses is essential, as treatment for some of these diseases must be initiated immediately after birth to prevent longterm sequelae. The most commonly identified diseases are primary hypothyroidism (1:3338), phenylketonuria/hyperphenylalaninemia (1 : 5262), cystic fibrosis (1 : 5400), and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (1 : 10 086). Patient numbers are rising as new variants of the target diseases are being identified, and treatments must be adapted to their heterogeneous manifestations. Precise diagnosis and the planning of treatment, which is generally lifelong, are best carried out in a specialized center.ConclusionImproved diagnosis and treatment now prolong the lives of many patients with congenital diseases. The provision of appropriate long-term treatment extending into adulthood will be a central structural task for screening medicine in the future.

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