SCREENING FOR NEUROBLASTOMA IN LATE INFANCY BY USE OF EIA (ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOASSAY) METHOD - 115000 SCREENED INFANTS IN AUSTRIA

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a neurobla stoma screening programme for children in late infancy, based on colla boration of general paediatricians and practitioners in Austria, using the technique of enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) for biochemical anal yses. Analysis of catecholamine metabolites in spot urine samples by E IA with high performance liquid chromatography as a backup was underta ken. Austrian infants (median age 8.7 months) were screened. Overall c ompliance was 30%. The EIA method had a high rate (6.7%) of false-posi tive results. 28 infants were admitted to hospital. In 15 cases, neuro blastoma was found (four stage 1, five stage 2B, six stage 3). The EIA method can be used for neuroblastoma screening, but requires a backup analytical technique in order to avoid unnecessary hospital admission s. The stage distribution and biological features of neuroblastomas di agnosed by screening at a later age are different from those detected by earlier screening. Screening in late infancy might be of more benef it than early screening. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd