Heel prick test sample lost and not tested

[edmozley]

Hello,

Our son is now ten weeks old and I found out yesterday that the sample that was taken in his heel prick test never made it to the lab. I have been trying to find out some solid information and I would be very grateful if anyone knows the answers to:

1. Is it still possible to do the heel prick test at such a late stage or will they have take a blood sample another way (with a needle/syringe)

1. If after re-testing it turns out our son has PKU is there any chance that the formula we've been giving him could have inhibited brain development because it contains protein?

Thanks very much

Ed

they just do another heel prick, ime. Think one of DC had it for 2nd time at about 5 months. I was rather surprised when MW knocked at the door! (Lovely MW though she was).

If its any consolation PKU is extremely rare. You should still insist on a retest and your health visitor should arrange for a second test to be carried out ASAP and it can still be done as a heel prick.

Kids who test positive for PKU do repeated heel pricks every week until they are old enough to take from their thumb which is usually around 2 so it can definitely still be done that way at 10 weeks.

As for your second question if your child has PKU ordinary formula does have a higher level of phenylalanine than PKU prescription milk. Every child with PKU has different tolerance levels so wait until you get your results before you worry yourself maybe unnecessarily.

Thank you all - the test was re-done on Sunday and we are now waiting to hear back. Thank you for the re-assurance!

Hello there I just wanted to say we finally had the results posted to us on the 19th June and thankfully everything has come back all clear.