Cystic Fibrosis Screening Legislated for All Newborns by 2010

[Horse with no Name]

www.medscape.com

>>>snip
July 9, 2009 (Bethesda, Maryland) — The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) announced this week that mandatory screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) in all newborns will be in effect in all 50 states and the District of Columbia by the end of this year.

Connecticut will begin mandatory CF screening October 1, 2009, and Texas will begin screening in December. These are the last 2 states to pass such legislation.

"Newborn screening for CF was adopted nationwide at a rapid pace," according to a statement prepared by the CFF to announce the enactment of mandatory screening. The first states adopted mandatory screening only 4 years ago, in 2005.

"We congratulate Texas and Connecticut for joining a nationwide effort to ensure that every child born with gets the best possible start in life," said Robert J. Beall, PhD, president and chief executive officer of CFF. "Newborn screening is critically important for this disease because early diagnosis is tied to better health. We extend our thanks to every volunteer and advocate who fought to establish screening programs across the country."

[alofarabia]

1. I am very glad about this

since my wife died from CF almost 20 years ago (at 28) and here brother (only sibling) died from it about 6 years later. Early identification equals early treatment.