Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis debuts in Alabama, Ontario
April 19th, 2008From the Birmingham [Alabama] News,
Starting this week, all newborns in Alabama will be tested for cystic fibrosis, and health officials are hoping that early identification will lead to early treatment and better outcomes for children. The test for the genetic disorder had been in the works for some time, but was held up until the state assured that it had adequate capacity to provide testing in its cystic fibrosis centers in Birmingham and Mobile.
The screening should identify about 250 to 300 babies in the state annually who are at least carriers of the disease. Doctors expect further testing at one of the cystic fibrosis centers to find about 25 to 30 new cases of the disease each year. Parents of babies who are carriers but do not have the disease will be consulted about genetic testing for future pregnancies.
From the Windsor [Ontario] Star:
All babies born in Ontario will now be screened for CF.
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation applauded the move, saying diagnosing and treating CF before symptoms emerge can improve life expectancy for people with CF and help them live more productive lives.
Ontario is the second Canadian province, after Alberta, to offer CF screening for newborns. British Columbia and Saskatchewan are also looking into making the screening available.
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June 20th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Despite a “universal” health care system in Canada newborn screening programs in Canada have vast disparities because each province mandates on their own which disorders newborns will be screened for.
Some provinces screen newborns for 29 disorders other provinces a mere 5 disorders. Ontario is the only province in Canada which has mandated newborn screening for Sickle Cell Anemia.
For more information about what your province offers in the way of newborn screening check out http://www.savebabiescanada.org.
Thanks
Tammy Clark
President
c/o Founder
Save Babies Through Screening Foundation of Canada