Early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

To the Editor. Farrell et al1 demonstrate that children with cystic fibrosis (CF) identified through newborn screening are significantly less likely to experience growth retardation, although no less likely to experience acute malnutrition, as indicated by low weight-for-height. They conclude that this evidence is sufficient to justify screening newborns for CF and cite a 1997 workshop convened at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as supporting this recommendation: “Therefore, we suggest that more regions begin to initiate such screening programs, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” a The participants in the 1997 CDC workshop, “Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis: A Paradigm for Public Health Genetics Policy Development,” recommended that several states consider initiating screening for CF as pilot projects to gather data.2 In particular, it was recommended, “Pilot CF screening programs for newborns should be approached and promoted as research endeavors, for which participation is not mandatory and informed consent is emphasized.” The CDC's position, stated in the 1997 workshop report, is that evidence of improved nutritional status without improved health or developmental status is not sufficient to recommend that state newborn screening programs include CF in a standard panel of tests: Before recommending universal CF screening for newborns as a routine public health intervention, policymakers will need more …