Intermediate
Technical
IVT
lost to follow-up
Cases where contact with families is lost before completing necessary follow-up testing or care.
Full Definition
A critical quality indicator in newborn screening programs referring to cases where abnormal screening results cannot be properly resolved due to inability to contact families or healthcare providers. Lost to follow-up cases represent potential missed diagnoses and are closely monitored by screening programs. Strategies to minimize these cases include multiple contact attempts, use of different communication methods, and coordination with primary care providers.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate. Can be abbreviated as LTFU in technical contexts.
In Context
- "The program's lost to follow-up rate decreased after implementing text message reminders." — Quality improvement report
- "Cases lost to follow-up are reviewed monthly by the screening committee." — Program protocol
Also known as
LTFU
incomplete follow-up
Contrasted with
completed follow-up
Don't confuse with
delayed follow-up
refused follow-up