screening sensitivity
The probability that a newborn screening test correctly identifies infants who have the target disorder.
Full Definition
Screening sensitivity represents the proportion of affected newborns who test positive on the screening test, calculated as true positives divided by the sum of true positives and false negatives. High sensitivity is crucial in newborn screening because missing affected infants (false negatives) can have devastating consequences including preventable developmental delays, organ damage, or death. Sensitivity can be influenced by factors such as the severity of the metabolic defect, age at sample collection, feeding status, concurrent illness, analytical cutoff values, and the natural history of the disorder. Screening programs continuously monitor sensitivity through follow-up studies and long-term outcome tracking to ensure optimal detection rates while balancing acceptable false positive rates.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from specificity and positive predictive value in statistical contexts.
In Context
- "The screening sensitivity for PKU approaches 100% when samples are collected after 24 hours of age." — Program evaluation report
- "Lowering cutoff values improved screening sensitivity but increased the false positive rate." — Laboratory performance analysis