Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis - Information for Healthcare Professionals
Ohio has been screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) with its Newborn Screening Program since 2006. Approximately 500 newborns screen positive for CF through this program each year. However, fewer than 10 percent of babies who screen positive actually have CF.
A confirmatory sweat test must be performed on any baby who screens positive on the CF portion of the newborn screening test. Confirmatory testing for CF can cause anxiety for patients and families, but particularly for the parents of asymptomatic newborns. Clinicians need to strike a delicate balance by encouraging parents to pursue appropriate follow up without unduly alarming the family.
