Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of puerperal mothers about the Guthrie test. Methods: A total of 75 mothers who sought primary care between October 2014 and February 2015 were investigated. The form was applied by the main researcher and the data was analyzed, using descriptive statistics with Microsoft Office Excel, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programs. Association tests and statistical power were applied.Results: Among the 75 mothers, 47 (62.7%) would have liked to receive more information about the newborn screening, especially regarding the correct sample collection period, followed by the screened morbidities. Most participants (n=55; 85.9%) took their children to be tested between the third and the seventh day of birth, as recommended by the Brazilian Health Ministry. Fifty-four women (72%) were unable to name the morbidities screened by the test in Minas Gerais, and they were also unaware that most have genetic etiology. The health professional who informed the mother about the Guthrie test was mainly the physician. This information was given prenatally to 57% of the cases, and to 43 % at the time of discharge from the hospital. The association test showed that mothers with higher education have more knowledge about the purpose and importance of the Guthrie test. The statistical power was 83.5%.Conclusions: Maternal knowledge about the Guthrie test is superficial and may reflect the health team’s usual practice.
Highlights
The Guthrie test, included in the Neonatal Screening Program (NNSP), aims at detecting infectious diseases and genetic characteristics, especially inborn errors of metabolism, asymptomatic at birth
It is worth noting that in order to include the diseases to be investigated in neonatal screening (NS), the following requirements must be met: if untreated, the disorder causes serious consequences for the health of the affected; there is a treatment that can substantially modify the natural history of the disease; the treatment is significantly more effective when deployed in preclinical phase of disease; there should be a screening test which is simple, efficient, and applicable on a large scale and low cost, and; the disorder should be common enough.[3]
This study presents the following guiding question: what do mothers know about Guthrie test? Considering that mothers are in charge of taking care of newborns, this study is justified by the importance of measuring their knowledge of the Guthrie test, because only a correct understanding, and in a timely manner, will encourage them to take their children to the sample collection event in the appropriate period, which would avoid subsequent sequels, especially the intellectual disabilities
Summary
The Guthrie test, included in the Neonatal Screening Program (NNSP), aims at detecting infectious diseases and genetic characteristics, especially inborn errors of metabolism, asymptomatic at birth. This examination enables the early diagnosis and treatment of the patients with these diseases, in order to avoid damage to the child, such as intellectual disabilities.[1,2,3] For the Guthrie test a few drops of blood are taken from the heel of the newborn (NB), and collected on filter paper. It is worth noting that in order to include the diseases to be investigated in neonatal screening (NS), the following requirements must be met: if untreated, the disorder causes serious consequences for the health of the affected; there is a treatment that can substantially modify the natural history of the disease; the treatment is significantly more effective when deployed in preclinical phase of disease; there should be a screening test which is simple, efficient, and applicable on a large scale and low cost, and; the disorder should be common enough.[3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
