Related Experiment Videos
Screening for cystic fibrosis and its evaluation
M F Wildhagen1, L P ten Kate, J D Habbema
1Department of Public Health, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
British Medical Bulletin
|June 15, 1999
Summary
Screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) carriers in newborns or school children is not recommended. Prenatal or preconceptional screening for CF carriers may be viable with proper counseling.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Public Health
- Genetic Screening
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disorder.
- Various screening strategies for CF have been proposed.
- Decisions regarding CF screening programs require careful consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different cystic fibrosis screening strategies.
- To identify knowledge gaps pertinent to implementing CF screening.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for CF screening program development.
Main Methods:
- Review and discussion of proposed CF screening methods.
- Analysis of psychosocial and cost-effectiveness factors.
- Assessment of scientific evidence for newborn screening.
Main Results:
- Newborn and school-age carrier screening for CF is inadvisable due to psychosocial and cost concerns.
- Current evidence is insufficient to support newborn screening for affected infants.
- Prenatal and preconceptional screening are identified as potentially viable options.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal screening offers practical advantages due to existing infrastructure.
- Preconceptional screening maximizes reproductive options for carrier couples.
- Both prenatal and preconceptional CF screening could be implemented with adequate counseling.