scope:

This document is designed to assist newborn screening laboratory personnel in the routine use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for the detection of metabolites that may indicate certain metabolic disorders using dried blood spot (DBS) specimens. The document describes the preparation procedures for reagents, specimens, standards, and controls; calibration (both instrument and analyte); standardization; control acceptance criteria; disorder profiles (interpretation of MS/MS spectra); external effects on results (eg, transfusion and total parenteral nutrition [TPN]); result reporting; and follow-up recommendations.