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. 2015 May 30:10:68.
doi: 10.1186/s13023-015-0283-0.

Phenylketonuria screening and management in southeastern Europe - survey results from 11 countries

Mojca Zerjav Tansek  1 , Urh Groselj  2 , Natalija Angelkova  3 , Dana Anton  4 , Ivo Baric  5   6 , Maja Djordjevic  7 , Lindita Grimci  8 , Maria Ivanova  9 , Adil Kadam  10 , Vjosa Kotori  11 , Hajrija Maksic  12 , Oana Marginean  13 , Otilia Margineanu  14 , Olivera Miljanovic  15 , Florentina Moldovanu  16 , Mariana Muresan  17 , Michaela Nanu  18 , Mira Samardzic  19 , Vladimir Sarnavka  20 , Aleksei Savov  21 , Maja Stojiljkovic  22 , Biljana Suzic  23 , Radka Tincheva  24 , Husref Tahirovic  25 , Alma Toromanovic  26 , Natalia Usurelu  27 , Tadej Battelino  28   29
Affiliations

Phenylketonuria screening and management in southeastern Europe - survey results from 11 countries

Mojca Zerjav Tansek et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. .

Abstract

Background: We aimed to assess the current state of PKU screening and management in the region of southeastern Europe.

Methods: A survey was performed involving all identified professionals responsible for the PKU management in the 11 countries from South-Eastern region of Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia). The questionnaire was designed to assess the characteristics regarding PKU management in three main areas: nation-wide characteristics, PKU screening, and characteristics of the PKU management in the responding centre. It consisted of 56 questions. The distribution and collection of the questionnaires (via e-mail) was taking place from December 2013 to March 2014.

Results: Responses from participants from 11 countries were included; the countries cumulative population is approx. 52.5 mio. PKU screening was not yet introduced in 4 of 11 countries. Reported PKU incidences ranged from 1/7325 to 1/39338 (and were not known for 5 countries). National PKU guidelines existed in 5 of 11 countries and 7 of 11 countries had PKU registry (registries included 40 to 194 patients). The number of PKU centers in each country varied from 1 to 6. Routine genetic diagnostics was reported in 4 of 11 countries. Most commonly used laboratory method to assess phenylalanine levels was fluorometric. Tetrahydrobiopterine was used in only 2 of 11 countries. Most frequently, pediatricians were caring for the patients. Dietitian was a member of PKU team in only 4 of 11 countries, while regular psychological assessments were performed in 6 of 11 countries. Patient's PKU society existed in 7 of 11 countries.

Conclusions: The region of southeastern Europe was facing certain important challenges of PKU screening and management. Neonatal PKU screening should be introduced throughout the region. Furthermore, PKU management was falling behind internationally established standards-of-care in many aspects.

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