Newborn Screening: Info for New Parents

Questions and Answers About CF Newborn Screening

You may be on this site because your baby had an abnormal, or positive, newborn screen for cystic fibrosis (CF). We know this can make many parents worry. So we have created this section to answer some of the most common questions and help guide you through your next steps.

We hope this information eases your mind with both clear answers and the assurance that you are not alone. Thousands of families go through this process each year. In the end, most babies with a positive newborn screen do NOT have CF.

While we have done our best to answer the most common questions, if you have more specific questions you should talk with a CF newborn screening expert such as a doctor, nurse specialist or genetic counselor. You can find such an expert by contacting your nearest CF Foundation-accredited care center.

In This Section

• Newborn Screening Basics – Overview of the nationwide program to find babies born with certain health conditions.
  
  
• What is CF – Explains what CF is and why it is important to screen for CF at birth.
  
  
• Screening for CF – Explains the test, why a second test may be needed and how each state screens newborns for CF.
  
  
• Understanding the Results – Answers questions you may have about the results of a newborn screen for CF.
  
  
• Sweat Test for Newborns – Explains what a sweat test is and why newborns may need it.
  
  
• My Baby Has CF – Tells you what to do and whom to contact if your baby has CF.
  
  
• Carriers of CF – Describes what it means to be a CF carrier.
  
  
• For Health Care Providers – Provides information about CF newborn screening for health care professionals.
  
  
• Additional Resources – Helps you find the information you need to learn more about newborn screening.

Updated 2/1/2011