title: Usefulness of Benedict's test for the screening of galactosemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benedict's test for the screening of galactosemia presents a high false-positive rate, which puts into question its usefulness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the results of Benedict's test as screening strategy for galactosemia, and the patients' definite diagnosis in our hospital in the last 25 years. We also assessed the most prevalent clinical conditions among the false-positive cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Apart from glycosuria, many non-galactosemic newborns with heart alterations, prematurity, icterus and sepsis usually lead to false-positive results using Benedict's. No false-negative case for Benedict's test was reported in our hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better approach in terms of cost-effectiveness, sensitivity and specificity is needed for an effective screening of galactosemia.
authors: Servei d'Anàlisis Clíniques, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: dr.morell.uab@gmail.com.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Morell-Garcia
authors: Servei d'Anàlisis Clíniques, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: josepmiquel.bauca@ssib.es.
authors: Josep Miquel
authors: JM
authors: Bauça
authors: Secció d'Endocrinologia, Servei d'Anàlisis Clíniques, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: antonia.barcelo@ssib.es.
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Barceló
authors: Secció de Malalties Metabòliques, Servei d'Anàlisis Clíniques, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: gerardo.perez@ssib.es.
authors: Gerardo
authors: G
authors: Perez-Esteban
authors: Secció de Cribatge Neonatal, Servei d'Anàlisis Clíniques, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Electronic address: mariam.vila@ssib.es.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Vila
mesh_terms: D002254:Carbonates / Q000737:chemistry; D002951:Citrates / Q000737:chemistry; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry; D003485:Cyanates / Q000737:chemistry; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005690:Galactose / Q000097:blood*; D005693:Galactosemias / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: C072164:Benedict reagent; D002254:Carbonates; D002951:Citrates; D003485:Cyanates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D003300:Copper; D005690:Galactose
keywords: Benedict's reagent; Galactosemia; Inborn errors; Newborn screening