Why is Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis an emerging public health issue?
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 2,500 babies born in the United States and about 1 in 25 Caucasian people are carriers of the CF gene. Currently, there are about 30,000 people in the United States affected by CF. This disorder is characterized by an increased secretion of sticky mucus, which can affect the function of the lungs, pancreas and other organs of the body. Early detection of this genetic disease can help improve the quality of life for those affected by leading to early intervention and treatment of infections and digestive problems. Currently six states are performing newborn screening for CF and continuous studies are being done to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the screen. Suggested Reading: Genetic Testing for Cystic Fibrosis: National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement What is Cystic Fibrosis? CF is a genetic disorder that affects many organs of the body, especially the lungs, pancreas an
