Question

What is one drawback of use of tandem mass spectrometry for newborn screening?

A It identifies more affected children, thus putting a burden on the healthcare system
B Expense of the procedure
C It can identify abnormal metabolites with unknown clinical significance
D Babies must be older for this test to be used compared to previous methodologies
E Higher false negative rate than previous screening methodologies

Answer 1

One drawback of using tandem mass spectrometry for newborn screening is detecting abnormal metabolites with unknown clinical implications, leading to possible healthcare burdens and uncertainty.

Step-by-step explanation:

A potential drawback of using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for newborn screening is the identification of abnormal metabolites with unknown clinical significance.

While tandem mass spectrometry is a powerful tool known for its high sensitivity and specificity, it can detect metabolites whose implications for health are not well understood. This may lead to uncertainty and anxiety as healthcare providers and parents try to interpret these results.

Additionally, a large number of identified metabolites can also place a burden on the healthcare system to pursue further testing and consultation.