How Are Biomarkers Used in Diagnosing Pediatric Diseases?
Biomarkers are utilized in various ways: - Screening: Newborn screening programs use biomarkers to detect conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism. - Diagnosis: For conditions like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), specific biomarkers in the blood can confirm the diagnosis. - Monitoring: Biomarkers help monitor disease progression or response to treatment in chronic conditions such as asthma and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).