Immunoreactive trypsinogen

Measurement of Immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) in blood of newborn babies is an assay in rapidly increasing use as a screening test for cystic fibrosis.[1]

IRT is typically raised in cystic fibrosis patients and is measured in routine heel-prick blood taken for biochemical screening of all newborn infants born in the UK. This testing is called the Guthrie Test. Samples with a raised IRT are then screened for common CF gene mutations, and infants with two mutations have a sweat test to confirm the diagnosis.[2] Heterozygous carriers of cystic fibrosis can cause a raised IRT and it is therefore not diagnostic in isolation.[3]

References

  1. ↑ MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Neonatal cystic fibrosis screening
  2. ↑ Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics, 4th Edition. Lissauer & Clayden. ISBN 978 0 7234 3565 5
  3. ↑ Kumar & Clarks Clinical Medicine, 8th Edition. ISBN 978-0-7020-4499-1

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