This volume is an expansion on the known treatment model of IEMs, one that establishes an innovative pathway approach and provides a new authority on this family of disease. Alongside the standard cadre of molecular and clinical underpinnings, this book includes coverage of newborn screening and an overarching treatment of IEMs as complex diseases.

Genetic testing and genome sequencing have opened up the possibility to clinicians and families to treat diseases, syndromes, and malformations earlier and provide therapeutic interventions.The guest editors seek to provide a basic overview of the topic for the neonatologist/perinatologist. Articles addres dysmorphology, syndromes in the infant, skeletal dysplasias, limb malformations, craniofacial anomolies, GI/liver disease, disorders of sexual develoment, brain defects, inborn errors of metabolism, and congenital heart disease.

Each disease-related chapter begins with a detailed description of the patient and the delineating symptoms used for establishing the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The highly detailed figures illustrate the metabolic derangement in a uniform way, together with essential aspects of the genetics involved, thus affording clarification and better understanding of the treatment. Topics covered range from general aspects such as the clinical approach, emergency treatment, diagnostic procedures, and psychosocial care for the child and the family, to specific discussions of new modes of treatment, including liver, bone marrow transplantation and somatic gene therapy.

Although neonatal screening was begun only 20 years ago, and is consequently still in its early stages, it is already a classic example of efficient preventive pediatrics. At present, routine neonatal screening covering a satisfactory percentage of newborn babies is carried out in only a small part ofthe world. For some five diseases enough infants have been screened to give reasonably reliable information about the frequency of these diseases in various populations. Interesting differences are beginning to appear in popula tions of different ethnic and racial background. The medical importance of neonatal screening is especially obvious in metabolic diseases that are not too rare and for which effective treatment depends upon an early diagnosis, such as phenylketonuria, galactosemia, and - a more recent screening pro gram - hypothyroidism. About 1 of 4000 newborns is affected with hypothyroidism and can receive timely substitution with thyroid hormone. Of 34.5 million babies tested for phenylketonuria, 3000 cases have been diagnosed in time to prevent mental retardation by means of dietary therapy.

Genetic testing and genome sequencing have opened up the possibility to clinicians and families to treat diseases, syndromes, and malformations earlier and provide therapeutic interventions.The guest editors seek to provide a basic overview of the topic for the neonatologist/perinatologist. Articles addres dysmorphology, syndromes in the infant, skeletal dysplasias, limb malformations, craniofacial anomolies, GI/liver disease, disorders of sexual develoment, brain defects, inborn errors of metabolism, and congenital heart disease.

Biomarkers of Inborn Errors in Metabolism: Clinical Aspects and Laboratory Determination is structured around the new reality that laboratory testing and biomarkers are an integral part in the diagnosis and treatment of inherited metabolic diseases. The book covers currently used biomarkers as well as markers that are in development. Because biomarkers used in the initial diagnosis of disease may be different than the follow-up markers, the book also covers biomarkers used in both the prognosis and treatment of inherited metabolic disorders. With the introduction of expanded new-born screening for inborn metabolic diseases, an increasing numbers of laboratories are involved in follow-up confirmatory testing. The book provides guidance on laboratory test selection and interpreting results in patients with suspected inherited metabolic diseases. The book provides comprehensive guidance on patient diagnosis and follow-up through its illustrative material on metabolic pathways, genetics and pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of inherited metabolic diseases, along with essential information on clinical presentation. Each chapter is organized with a uniform, easy-to-follow format: a brief description of the disorder and pathway; a description of treatment; biomarkers for diagnosis; biomarkers followed for treatment efficacy; biomarkers followed for disease progression; confounding conditions that can either: affect biomarker expression or mimic IEMs; other biomarkers: less established, future. - Provides comprehensive information on the tests/biomarkers selection in newborn screening and follow-up of newborn screens - Categorizes biomarkers into diagnostic markers, disease follow-up markers, and prognostic biomarkers - Covers confounding factors that can alter biomarkers in the absence of inborn errors of metabolism - Offers guidance on how to distinguish acquired causes from inborn errors of metabolism

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening. Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered: Quality control in genetic testing. Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories. Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing. Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.