Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
analytical sensitivity
A test's ability to correctly identify affected infants with a specific condition.
Full Definition
A key performance metric for newborn screening tests that measures the proportion of true positive cases correctly identified by the screening method. Analytical sensitivity is distinct from clinical sensitivity and relates to the test's ability to detect the target analyte at clinically relevant concentrations. High analytical sensitivity is crucial for effective screening programs to minimize missed cases of serious conditions.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with 'clinical sensitivity' which includes program factors.
In Context
- "The laboratory validated the analytical sensitivity of the new screening assay." — Method validation report
- "Analytical sensitivity must be maintained across all testing conditions." — Quality control procedure
Also known as
test sensitivity
Contrasted with
analytical specificity
Don't confuse with
clinical sensitivity
detection limit