OBJECTIVES: To analyze the results of neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in Zhejiang province from 1999 to 2022. METHODS: A total of 11 922 318 newborns were screened from September 1999 and December 2022 in Zhejiang province. The blood thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured by a fluorescence method and blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels were measured by fluorescence method or tandem mass spectrometry. TSH≥9 μIU/mL was considered positive for CH, while Phe>120 μmol/L and/or Phe/Tyr ratio>2.0 were considered positive for HPA. The positive newborns in screening were recalled, and the gene variations were detected by high-throughput sequencing and MassARRAY tests. RESULTS: The overall neonatal screening rate during 1999-2022 was 89.41% (11 922 318/13 333 929) and the screening rate was increased from 6.46% in 1999 to 100.0% in 2022. A total of 8924 cases of CH were diagnosed among screened newborns with an incidence rate of 1/1336. A total of 563 cases of HPA were diagnosed, including 508 cases of classic phenylketonuria (cPKU) and 55 cases of tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency (BH4D), with an incidence rate of 1/21 176. Ninety-seven out of 8924 cases of CH underwent genetic analysis. Gene mutations were detected in 9 CH related genes, the highest frequency mutations were found in DUOX2 gene (69.0%) with c.3329G>A (p.R1110Q) (18.2%) and c.1588A>T (p.K530X) (17.3%) as the hotspot mutations. There were 81 PAH gene variants detected in a total of 250 cases of cPKU, and c728G>A (p.R243Q) (24.4%), c.721C>T (p.R241C) (15.0%) were the hotspot mutations. Meanwhile 7 novel variants in PAH gene were detected: c.107C>A (p.S36*), c.137G>T (p.G46V), c.148A>G(p.K50E), c.285C>T (p.I95I), c.843-10delTTCC, exon4-7del and c.1066-2A>G. There were 12 PTS gene variants detected in 36 cases of BH4D, and c.259C>T (p.P87S) (31.9%) was the hotspot mutation. CONCLUSIONS The incident of CH has increased from 1999 to 2022 in Zhejiang province, and it is higher than that of national and global levels; while the incidence of HPA is similar to the national average. DUOX2 gene variation is the most common in CH patients; c.728G>A (p.R243Q) is the hotspot mutation in cPKU patients, while c.259C>T (p.P87S) is the hotspot mutation in BH4D patients.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Dual Oxidases ; Congenital Hypothyroidism/genetics* ; Phenylketonurias/genetics* ; Thyrotropin

Objective: To evaluate the quality of tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) screening for neonatal inherited metabolic diseases in Zhejiang Province from 2009 to 2021. Methods: The data pertaining to MSMS screening for neonatal inherited metabolic diseases in Zhejiang Province from 2009 to 2021 were collected from the database created by Zhejiang Provincial Center for Neonatal Disease Screening. The percentage of MSMS screening, percentage of recall of suspected screening-positive infants and incidence of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the quality of MSMS screening for inherited metabolic diseases. Results: A total of 4 706 916 newborns were screened among 8 297 039 live births by MSMS in Zhejiang Province from 2009 to 2021, and the percentage of MSMS screening increased from 5.48% to 97.54%, with a mean percentage of 56.73%. Of 46 838 suspected screening-positive infants, 45 527 infants were recalled, and the percentage of recall increased from 94.57% to 98.62%, with a mean percentage of 97.20%. A total of 1 038 infants were definitively diagnosed with inherited metabolic diseases in Zhejiang Province from 2009 to 2021, with an overall incidence rate of 1/4 535, and the incidence rates of amino acid metabolic disorder, fatty acid oxidation metabolic disorder and organic acid metabolic disorder were 1/11 767, 1/13 763 and 1\15 902, respectively. Of the 11 cities in Zhejiang Province, the highest percentage of tandem mass spectrometry screening for inherited metabolic diseases was found in Hangzhou City (83.01%), and the highest percentage of recall of suspected screening-positive infants was se en in Zhoushan City (99.08%). Conclusions A high percentage of MSMS screening for neonatal inherited metabolic diseases was observed in Zhejiang Province from 2009 to 2021; however, there was a region-specific percentage of screening, and the recall of suspected screening-positive infants remains to be improved.

Abstract Neonatal disease screening is a major tool for prevention of birth defects, and monitoring and evaluation of neonatal disease screening facilitates the improvements in screening quality and efficiency. A strict quality control of screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of neonatal diseases is performed in Zhejiang Provincial Center for Quality Control of Neonatal Disease Screening. In this study, the data pertaining to screening of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases, hearing loss and congenital heart diseases were collected in Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2020, and the screening rate, recall rate of suspected screening-positive neonates, and detection rate of diseases were calculated to assess the quality of neonatal disease screening. The screening rate and recall rate of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases, hearing loss and congenital heart diseases were high in Zhejiang Province, and the detection of screened diseases was stable, indicating a high overall quality of neonatal disease screening. Increasing the impact of neonatal disease screening and consolidating the screening achievements should be given a high priority during the future quality control of neonatal disease screening in Zhejiang Province.

Abstract Transport of filter paper-dried blood spot samples is a critical procedure during the screening of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases, which is of great significance for the screening accuracy. In order to ensure the timing and safety of sample transport, the cold chain positioning system was initiated by Zhejiang Provincial Center for Quality Control of Neonatal Disease Screening since March 2015. Based on the framework of neonatal disease screening information management system, the function of the logistics transport management system was included in this positioning system, with aims to achieve the monitoring and tracking of sample transport processes through real-time positioning of the sample transport box via China Unicom 4G logistics card and global positioning system/BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. The samples are maintained in a transport environment at 2 to 8 °C via the temperature-controlled box made of 5 °C phase-changed cold-stored materials and general packet radio service (GPRS) temperature recorders. The mean pretest turnover duration reduced from 8.44 days to 5.03 days following introduction of the cold chain positioning system, and the percentage of timely sample delivery increased from 31.69% to 77.90%, while the withdrawal rate of unqualified samples reduced from 0.12% to 0.08%. The cold chain positioning system meets the requirements of transport of filter paper-dried blood spot samples, which has a high potential in screening of neonatal inherited metabolic diseases.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of neonatal screening work for inherited metabolic diseases，to learn the incidence of inherited metabolic diseases in newborns in Zhejiang Province from 1999 to 2018，and to provide scientific basis for formulating policies for control of birth defects. Methods: The neonatal screening data for inherited metabolic diseases in Zhejiang Province from 1999 to 2018 were collected from the neonatal disease screening database of Zhejiang Neonatal Disease Screening Center，including congenital hypothyroidism（CH），phenylketonuria/tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency（PKU/BH4D），congenital adrenal hyperplasia（CAH），glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency（G6PD）and other metabolic disorders. The related indicators，such as the screening rate，prevalence rate，recall rate for suspected positive cases，resample rate of unqualified blood slides and rate of delayed blood slides delivery，were calculated to assess the quality of neonatal screening and understand the epidemic situation of inherited metabolic diseases in Zhejiang Province. Results: A total of 10 016 839 newborns were screened and the rate rised from 6.46% in 1999 to 100.62% in 2018. The recall rate for suspected positive cases had exceeded 95% since 2007. The rate of unqualified blood tablets was under 1%（0.06% in 2018）；the resample rate of unqualified blood slides had exceeded 99% since 2004；the rate of delayed blood slides delivery dropped to 0.19% in 2018. The proportion of newborns screened by tandem mass spectrometry reached 92.75% in 2018. There were 13 664 cases of inherited metabolic diseases confirmed，with 6 723 cases of CH（6.71/10 000），472 cases of PKU/BH4D（0.47/10 000），125 cases of CAH（0.38/10 000），5 644 cases of G6PD（22.19/10 000）and 700 cases of other metabolic disorders（2.13/10 000）. The highest prevalence rate of CH，PKU/BH4D，G6PD and other metabolic disorders lay in Lishui，Hangzhou，Ningbo and Quzhou，respectively，which was significantly different in cities（P<0.05）. Conclusion The neonatal screening rate for inherited metabolic diseases，recall rate for suspected positive cases and resample rate of unqualified blood slides are high，while the rate of unqualified blood slides and delayed blood slides delivery have been kept low in Zhejiang Province. The prevalence of CH is above and PKU/BH4D is below the national average.

OBJECTIVETo screen fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) in newborns in Zhejiang province.

METHODSA total of 1 861 262 newborns were screened for FAOD in Neonatal Screening Center of Zhejiang Province during January 2009 and December 2016. The blood samples from newborns were screened by tandem mass spectrometry, and diagnosis of FAOD was confirmed by urine organic acid measurement combined with genetic analysis. The prognosis and follow-up of patients with FAOD were also evaluated.

RESULTSOf 1 861 262 newborns screened, 121 cases of FAOD were diagnosed. Among 121 cases of FAOD, primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) was the most common type (=78, 64.5%), which was followed by short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD,=27, 22.3%), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (=5, 4.1%), multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD,=4, 3.3%), very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (=3, 2.5%), carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ⅰ deficiency(=2, 1.7%)and carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ⅱ deficiency (CPTⅡD,=2, 1.7%). During 2-82 month follow-up, 15 patients were lost, 4 were dead (1 PCD, 1 MADD, and 2 CPTⅡD), and the remaining 102 subjects had normal intelligence and physical development without any clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSPCD and SCADD are the most common FAODs in newborns in Zhejiang province. Most of FAOD patients are asymptomatic, and have normal growth and development after early intervention and management.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the results and follow up data of screening for newborn organic aciduria in Zhejiang province.

METHODSThe results and follow-up data of 1 861 262 newborns from Zhejiang province undergoing screening for organic aciduria during January 2009 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The acylcarnitine spectrum in urine samples was detected by tandem mass spectrum (MS/MS) and the positive patients were confirmed by urine gas chromatography mass spectrometry and/or gene analysis.

RESULTSNinety two cases of organic aciduria were confirmed with a prevalence of 1:20 200. Among 40 cases of methylmalonic academia (MMA), 13 (32.5%) were of MMA simple type and 27 (67.5%) were combined type. Genetic analysis showed 6 cases of MUT type and 1 case of CblB type out of 7 patients with MMA simple type, 10 cases of CblC and 1 case of CblF out of 11 patients with combined type, respectively. Six patients had propionic academia with a prevalence of 1:310 200, 7 had isovaleric academia (1:265 900), 6 had glutaric academia type 1 (1:310 200), 27 had 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency (MCC, 1:68 900), 1 had 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria (1:1 861 300), 2 had β-ketothiolase deficiency (1:960 600), and 3 had biotinidase deficiency/holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency (1:620 400). Thirty-one patients had a disease onset at neonatal period, and 15 at post-neonatal period. Thirty-three patients had brain involvements or cranial imaging disorders. Three patients with MMA had kidney diseases or heomlytic uremic syndrome, and 3 had myocardial impairments. Twenty patients died during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSMMA is the most common newborn organic aciduria in Zhejiang province. Except MCC, most organic aciduria may lead to metabolism decompensation, complications or even death.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the result and follow-up data of screening for newborn amino acid metabolic disorders in Zhejiang province.

METHODSA total of 1 861 262 newborns were screened for amino acid metabolic disorders during January 2009 and December 2016 in Zhejiang province. The screening results and the follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOne hundred and sixty four cases were diagnosed as amino acid metabolic disorders with a prevalence of 1:11 349, including 83 with hyperphenylalaninaemia (1:22 400), 29 with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (1:64 138), 16 with methionine S-adenosyltransferase deficiency (1:116 250), 9 with maple syrup urine disease (1:206 667), 8 with argininemia (1:232 500), 7 with citrullinemia type Ⅰ (1:265 700), 6 with hyperprolinemia type Ⅰ (1:310 000), and 2 with carbamylphosphate synthetase Ⅰ deficiency(1:930 000). In addition, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, cystathionine β-synthase deficiency, argininosucoinate aciduria and tyrosinemia type Ⅰ were detected in one patient for each, respectively. Two patients had developmental delay, 7 patients were dead, and 2 cases of maple syrup urine disease were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSHyperphenylalaninaemia is the most common amino acid metabolic disease in newborns in Zhejiang province. Patients with amino acid metabolic disorders identified in newborn screening program can have chance for normal growth development by intervention.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Death, Sudden ; etiology ; Hereditary Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase ; deficiency ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mutation ; Oxo-Acid-Lyases ; genetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objective To investigate the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad2/3 and Smad7 expressions in carotid artery remodeling in renovascular hypertensive rats, and also the therapeutic effect of Enalapril and Amlodipine. Methods The renovascular hypertensive rat (RHR) models with two-kidney and one-clip were established, including model group (n = 6), sham-operated group (n = 6), Enalapril group (10 mg/kg per day, n = 6), Amlodipine group (5 mg/kg per day, n = 6) and combination group (Amlodipine 2.5 mg/kg per day + Enalapril 5mg/kg per day, n = 6). The medication were continuous administrated for six weeks. Carotid artery morphological and structural changes in the media were observed by HE staining, Masson staining and immuno histochemical staining. Media thickness (MT), MT and lumen diameter ratio (MT/LD), and the expression levels of media α-smooth muscle actin (α-actin), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), TGF-β1, phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) and Smad7 in carotid arteries were measured. Results The media of carotid arteries in RHR model group was significantly thickened, the volume of smooth muscle cell was increased, and the array was in disorder; MT, MT/LD, the proliferation index of smooth muscle cell and collagen fiber area percentage of carotid arteries in the model group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (P < 0.01). Compared to sham-operated group, the model group had significantly higher expressions of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 (P < 0.05) and lower Smad7 expression. Both Enalapril and Amlodipine improved smooth muscle hypertrophy and collagen deposition, reduced RHR carotid MT, MT/LD, proliferation index of smooth muscle cell, collagen fiber area percentage and the expressions of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 (P < 0.05), increased Smad7 expression (P < 0.05). Moreover, the combination treatment of Enalapril and Amlodipine had significantly better effects than single Amlodipine group (P < 0.05), but not single Enalapril group. Conclusions TGF-β1/Smads pathway may participate in the mechanism of carotid artery remodeling in RHR; the role of Amlodipine and Enalapril in inversing carotid artery remodeling may be related to the change of TGF-β1/Smads pathway, the combination treatment of Amlodipine and Enalapril had better effects than single administration of Amlodipine.