title: International cooperation in the expansion of a newborn screening programme in Lebanon: a possible model for other programmes.
abstract: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is rapidly gaining support, even in less-developed nations, as the method of choice for the newborn screening of metabolic disorders, although difficulties in acquiring this technology may at times be major obstacles in several Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. In Lebanon, international cooperation allowed this acquisition at the Newborn Screening Laboratory (NSL) of the Saint Joseph University (USJ) in the capital city of Beirut. NSL is currently screening up to 20% of all newborns in Lebanon. The expansion was made possible through initial collaboration with the Metabolic Laboratory at the Hamburg University Medical Center (HUMC) and subsequently with other centres. During phase I of the expansion (2006-2007), blood spots were shipped to HUMC with rapid couriers twice a week and electronic reports were sent back generally within 4 days after shipment. Positive cases were recalled to NSL and new specimens were sent back for confirmation at HUMC. During that first phase, the Beirut staff received training at the HUMC and in other centres. Phase II was a transitory period of 4 months during which machines were installed in Beirut and working procedures were adopted and documented. The activity has now entered a consolidation phase (Phase III) in which all measurements are exclusively performed in Beirut while HUMC acts as a backup centre. International cooperation remains crucial for periodic quality assurance procedures, and for supporting the transformation of the USJ-NSL into a training centre able to transfer MS/MS technology to the MENA region.
authors.affiliation: Newborn Screening Laboratory, Medical Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon. issam.khneisser@usj.edu.lb
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khneisser
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Adib
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Megarbane
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lukacs
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003906:Developing Countries; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007391:International Cooperation; D007861:Lebanon; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016730:Program Development; D013048:Specimen Handling; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers