Metabolic newborn screening program for Phenylketonuria compulsory in Singapore?

I was wondering whether if testing for Phenylketonuria is compulsory in Singapore given the so many increasing autistic and hyperactive kids here. It only came to my mind as I was trying to confirm if my neighbour kids is indeed Phenylketonuria and hence should simply stay away from the easily available Aspartame (Sugar Free) sweet found in all schools canteens, supermarket, MRT shops etc etc.

I applaud Philippines for taking the initiative to have metabolic newborn screening that included testing for Phenylketonuria. But I am not sure if the masses there actually have the means to do these test. Anyway from this news article dated (15 Apr 200 it seemed that:

“…The screening of newborns was started in the Philippines in 1996 through the efforts of the Newborn Screening Study Group with the screening of 5 disorders: phenylketonuria (PKU); congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); congenital hypothyroidism (CH); galactosemia (GAL); and homocystinuria (HCY). In 1998, HCY was dropped from the panel and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was added…….. “SAVE your baby from Mental Retardation,” has been the campaign of the Newborn Screening Program here in the Philippines. It was started in 1996 by a group of pediatricians and became a law on July 2003 under Republic act no. 9288. ” (link1) (link2)

However it seemed that in Philippines, according to their Department of Health (DOH) only six percent of the two million babies born every year in the country have been screened for any possible mental defects. Maybe the medical cost is a problem there but not checking would incur a even greater burden to the parents and the society too. (link)

================

BACK TO SINGAPORE

A check with google on the testing for Phenylketonuria on newborns in Singapore, that only information I got was that it seemed to have been started only in 2006! (link)

“… The screening programme was launched in public hospitals in July 2006 and in the private hospitals in October 2006. Out of the 18,000 babies screened, 4 cases of IEMs have been detected, giving an incidence of one in 4,500. The IEM cases detected were Maternal Carnitine Uptake Defect, Medium Chain AcylCoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCAD), Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 and Methylmalonic Acidemia. The four infants were managed optimally before the occurrence of metabolic crisis and life threatening complications were prevented. TMS is also used to monitor patients who have IEMs on treatment for conditions such as Phenylketonuria, organic acidurias and primary carnitine deficiency….”

I am not sure if testing for Phenylketonuria is compulsory. Maybe someone can correct my oversight or mistake here. However, it should be most recommended given the free availability of Aspartame (Sugar Free) in almost all food outlets.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR KID IS PHENYLKETONURIA

If your kid is VERY hyperactive and of LIGHTER complexion than his siblings than maybe he should be tested for Phenylketonuria and simply have to avoid “Phenylalanine food” which occurs in significant amounts in milk, eggs, and other common foods. The artificial sweetener NutraSweet (aspartame) also contains phenylalanine. Any products containing aspartame should be avoided by children with this disorder. The best treatment for PKU is a diet of low-protein foods. There are special formulas for newborns. For older children and adults, the diet includes many fruits and vegetables. It also includes some low-protein breads, pastas, and cereals. (link)

Here is a list of what to eat and what to avoid for those with Phenylketonuria (link)

Take Care

Mikey