State makes cystic fibrosis screening mandatory for newborns
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STATS ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS
About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
More than 70 percent of patients are diagnosed by age 2.
More than 45 percent of the cystic fibrosis patient population is ...
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STATS ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS
About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
More than 70 percent of patients are diagnosed by age 2.
More than 45 percent of the cystic fibrosis patient population is age 18 or older.
The predicted median age of survival for a person with cystic fibrosis is more than 37 years.
Source; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Web site.
For a list of the diseases covered by the Texas Newborn Screening Program, visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/newborn
On Tuesday, all newborn infants began mandatory screening for cystic fibrosis as part of a Texas Department of State Health Services program.
Funding was approved earlier this year to add the inheritable, congenital disorder to a list of 27 other disorders tested for newborns.
The disease causes mucus build-up in the lungs and digestive system. The mucus increases the chance for infections.
Dr. Felix Regueira with Victoria Pediatrics said he is glad the advancement in technology and medicine allows for early detection of the disease.
"It's better to learn about medical problems earlier than later," Regueira said. "I think by doing this screening during the newborn period, we are a step ahead."
The now 28 disorders tested in the newborn screening program require two blood samples taken from the heel.
The first is taken immediately after birth and the other at 2-weeks-old.
Early detection of any of the 28 disorders can prevent complications such as blindness, growth and development problems, and even early childhood death.
