Table 2. The policy of newborn screening and treatment for PKU in United States, UK, Japan and China.

	Policy of newborn screening against PKU			Policy of treatment against PKU
	Required by law	Financial support	Publicity supporting	National standardized guidelines	Charging policy
United States	All states required except 4 states: Vermont, Maryland, Minnesota and Idaho.	The test is only free in New York, Pennsylvania, Kansas and District of Columbia. However in other states, health insurance programs and the State Children's Health Insurance Program or Medicaid pay for the fee.	Having some policies and regulations.	Published since 1993	33 states (64.71%) make private insurance requirements about the reimbursement for medical foods for PKU, and 42 states (82.35%) provide state services and assistance for PKU. Only 3 States (Mississippi, Oklahoma and West Virginia) do not have both private insurance requirements and state services and assistance for PKU.
United Kingdom	Do not require yet highly recommend.	The test is covered by National Health Service, and the screening service is free.	Having some policies and regulations.	Published since 1993	The fee of amino acids and low protein foods are fully reimbursed by National Health Service, yet the patients over the age of 16 pay a prescription charge.
Japan	Do not require yet highly recommend.	The test is covered by the government.	Having some policies and regulations.	Published since 1995	The charge for PKU's treatment is covered by national health insurance and special public subsidies.
China	Do not require in most area except Shanghai and Guangzhou.	Free-charge policy in HongKong and Shanghai. Other areas need to charge a fee for screening.	No such specific policy or regulation has been retrieved.	No such specific guideline has been retrieved.	The charge had been covered by URBMI in some places yet no such policy in most regions has been retrieved. Government of Guangzhou covers the fee of PKU children until 8 years of age.