Is cystic fibrosis carrier screening cost effective?

Between 2001 and 2005, 6,166 females underwent cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening at our institution. Only 36% were Caucasian. We identified 143 carrier females and subsequently tested 85 of their partners. The observed carrier frequency was not significantly different than expected for any racial or ethnic group tested. We identified 6 positive couples (5 Caucasian, 1 Arab American) and 1 affected fetus. In just under 4 years, our institution spent approximately $334,000 on CF population screening. Comparing this to the lifetime medical cost for a CF patient, CF population-based carrier screening is cost effective at our institution, despite the high number of non-Caucasians being screened.