New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS): Booking, Price, and Results
About New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS): Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | NBS 62, TMS 62, Newborn metabolic screening panel, extended newborn screening, heel prick test, expanded NBS |
| Sample Type | Dried blood spot (heel prick on filter paper card) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required; the baby should have been fed for at least 24 hours before sample collection |
| Report Time | 7 days |
| Recommended For | All newborn babies, ideally between 24 and 72 hours after birth |
| Price | Starting at ₹7,500 |
What Is a New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) Test?
The New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test is a screening panel designed to detect 62 inherited metabolic and other disorders in newborn babies before symptoms appear. It uses Tandem Mass Spectrometry (TMS) along with other methods to analyse a small dried blood spot collected from the baby's heel. The test is also referred to as NBS 62, TMS 62, or the Expanded Newborn Screening panel. A clinical history is required when submitting the sample.
What Does a New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) Test Measure?
The New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test analyses several chemicals (which act as metabolic markers or biological indicators) from a single dried blood spot to find early signs of certain inherited diseases. The table below shows the main categories covered.
| Parameter Category | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Amino Acids (Phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, leucine/isoleucine, and others) | Elevated levels can indicate amino acid metabolism disorders |
| Acylcarnitines | Identifies fatty acid oxidation and organic acid disorders |
| TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Levels | High TSH may indicate congenital hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) |
| 17-hydroxyprogesterone Levels | Abnormal levels indicate Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (adrenal gland disorders) |
| G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency | Low activity indicates a red blood cell enzyme deficiency |
| Galactosaemia (Total galactose levels) | Raised galactose indicates difficulty processing milk sugar |
| Biotinidase deficiency | Low biotinidase enzyme activity affects the use of vitamin biotin |
| Haemoglobinopathies | Detects sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia |
Why Is a New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) Test Done?
This test detects early health problems in newborns. It is recommended for all newborns, regardless of family history or visible symptoms, because the disorders it targets are often undetectable without laboratory testing in the early days of life.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
While the test is routinely offered to all newborns, certain early signs in a baby may make timely screening especially important. These include:
- Poor feeding or difficulty attaching to the breast.
- Unusual sleepiness or low energy
- Persistent vomiting
- Unusual body odour, such as a sweet or maple syrup smell
- Seizures or muscle weakness
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Poor weight gain after birth
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The NBS 62 screening panel can help identify a wide range of inherited conditions. Some of the key ones include:
- Amino acid disorders: Problems breaking down protein
- Fatty acid oxidation disorders: Problems using fat for energy
- Organic acid disorders: Problems in the body’s waste breakdown system (propionic, isovaleric acidaemia)
- Endocrine disorders: Problems in the thyroid or adrenal gland (congenital hypothyroidism, adrenal hyperplasia)
- Enzyme deficiencies: G6PD deficiency, biotinidase deficiency, galactosaemia
- Blood disorders: Problems in red blood cells (sickle cell anaemia, beta thalassaemia)
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for the New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test procedure is simple, but a few simple steps help ensure an accurate sample.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. However, the baby must have been fed with breast milk or formula for at least 24 hours before the sample is collected. Feeding is essential for accurate metabolic readings.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are a few things to keep in mind before the sample is collected:
- Ensure the baby has completed at least 24 hours of feeding before testing
- If possible, collect the sample before any antibiotics are given or blood transfusions are carried out
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including the baby's birth details, current health status, any medications given, and family medical history, as this is required for the test
- Holding the baby skin-to-skin or breastfeeding during the heel prick can help calm the baby
- Wrapping the baby snugly or offering a pacifier may also reduce discomfort
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample for the New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test is collected using a simple heel prick. Here is what to expect:
- A trained sample collector cleans the baby's heel and makes a quick, small pinprick. The procedure takes only a few seconds.
- Small drops of blood are collected and placed onto the circles on a special filter paper card, called a Guthrie card.
- At least four blood spots are collected to fill the guide circles on the card fully.
- The card is left to dry at room temperature and then packed for dispatch.
- The dried blood spot card is sent to the laboratory for analysis using TMS and GCMS technology.
- Results are typically ready within 7 days and delivered digitally.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of newborn screening 62 disorders (TMS) results:
- Prematurity or low birth weight, which can increase the chance of a false positive result
- Blood transfusion before sample collection, which may produce a falsely normal result
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) means nutrition given directly into a vein, bypassing the stomach, which can raise certain amino acid levels and affect readings
- Sample collected before the baby was 24 hours old, which may reduce the accuracy for some metabolic tests
- Exposure to iodine, which can cause a false positive TSH reading
Understanding Your New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) Results
Results from the New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test are typically reported as in-range (normal) or out-of-range (abnormal) for each category of markers. The table below gives a general guide to how key markers are interpreted.
| Parameter | Reference / Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Amino Acids | Each Amino acid has its own separate normal limit |
| Acylcarnitines | Each acylcarnithine marker has its own normal safe range |
| TSH | < 10 mU/L (typically) |
| 17-hydroxyprogesterone Levels | change based on the baby's age and weight |
| G6PD Enzyme Activity | Normal activity |
| Biotinidase Enzyme Activity | activity ≥ 30%–50% |
| Haemoglobin Variants | Normal haemoglobin pattern |
These references are general. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your baby's age, weight, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can affect how results should be read.
Premature babies have a higher rate of false positive results due to organ immaturity, TPN use, and non-standard feeding. Additional or repeat screening is often recommended for infants in the NICU.
If a blood transfusion was given before sample collection, results may appear falsely normal across multiple markers. In this case, repeat testing after a suitable interval is advised.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These tips support a baby's overall well-being during and after the screening period:
- Continue breastfeeding or appropriate formula feeding as recommended by your paediatrician
- If a screening result is flagged as out of range, follow up promptly with the doctor for confirmatory testing
- Families with a confirmed diagnosis may benefit from genetic counselling to understand implications for future pregnancies
Lupin Diagnostics New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) Price and Home Collection
The New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹7,500, with home sample collection available for added convenience.
| City | Approximate price(₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 7500 |
| Pune | 4500 |
| Bangalore | 4500 |
| Chennai | 4500 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for the New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS) test across cities, with a trained phlebotomist visiting at a time convenient for your family. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories. Reports are delivered digitally, so you can access them easily from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal time for this test is between 24 and 72 hours after birth. Testing before 24 hours may reduce accuracy for certain conditions, such as congenital hypothyroidism. If the window is missed, the test can still be done, but earlier collection is always preferable.
The procedure causes brief discomfort, and the baby may cry for a short while. This typically passes within minutes, and the baby can be comforted immediately after.
A positive or abnormal newborn screening result does not mean your child has a disease. It's just that some markers are high, and additional confirmatory tests are needed. Your doctor will tell you what to do next.
Premature infants may have abnormal results due to immature organs, IV nutrition (TPN) or medicines. Results are understood by age and condition by doctors.
Yes, home sample collection is available for this test through Lupin Diagnostics. A certified phlebotomist will visit your home to collect the dried blood spot sample from your newborn using a gentle heel prick.
Newborn screening is not uniformly mandated across all Indian states. Medical bodies such as ISPAE (Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology) strongly advise that all newborns be screened as early as possible after birth.
New Born Screening 62 Disorders (TMS): Booking, Price, and Results
