Newborn cystic fibrosis screening in southeastern Mexico: Birth prevalence and novel CFTR gene variants

To use the results of the first five years of a cystic fibrosis newborn screening program to estimate the cystic fibrosis birth prevalence and spectrum of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR) gene variants in Yucatan, Mexico.

Screening was performed from 2010 to 2015, using two-tier immunoreactive trypsinogen testing, followed by a sweat test. When sweat test values were >30 mmol/L, the CFTR gene was analyzed.

Of 96,071 newborns screened, a second sample was requested in 119 cases. A sweat test was performed in 30 newborns, and 9 possible cases were detected (seven confirmed cystic fibrosis and two inconclusive). The most frequently detected CFTR pathogenic variant (5/14 cystic fibrosis alleles, 35.7%) was p.(Phe508del); novel p.(Ala559Pro) and p.(Thr1299Hisfs*29) pathogenic variants were found.

Cystic fibrosis birth prevalence in southeastern Mexico is 1:13,724 newborns. Immunoreactive trypsinogen blood concentration is influenced by gestational age and by the time of sampling. The spectrum of CFTR gene variants in Yucatan is heterogeneous.