From the article: Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis
Was your baby screened for cystic fibrosis at birth? How did the screening effect you and your child? Did newborn screening lead to your child's CF diagnosis, allowing him to start treatment before the inevitable complications began to appear? Did your child have a false positive screening that caused you undue anxiety? Did you find out that your child is a CF carrier? Whatever your experience, we want to hear from you. Please take a few moments to share your story. Share Your Story
Hannah's Diagnosis
- When my daughter was three weeks old, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis through newborn screening. We were confused and denied the diagnosis because we were told my husband was not a CF carrier. After visiting the CF clinic for the first time, we quickly realized it was a blessing in disguise. Until then, she had not been gaining weight and was labeled "failure to thrive". She began to thrive soon after by taking pancreatic enzymes. Her father and I feel that newborn screening has given Hannah the best opportunity for survival. Research shows early diagnosis and preventative measures increase patients' life span and quailty of life. We are determined to keep Hannah healthy until a cure is found and have been since she was three weeks old, thanks to newborn screening. See a photo and learn more about Hannah at http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/HannahFazzari
- —Guest kgfazz
Grandson Diagnosed
- My daughter, who has Multiple Sclerosis, because she is in her early 30's had undergone the genetic testing during her pregnancy. She was relieved to know that her baby did not have Down's syndrome or Spina Bifida. When her son was born she was not aware that there were tests done on newborns now that were not available years earlier as she also has an 11 and 12 year old. She was so happy with her handsome and happy baby. However, when he was 6 weeks old she was called into her Doctor's office and told to go to Sick Children's hospital the next day to check for CF. She was totally shocked as no one in her extended family or the father's had any knowledge of anyone having this disease. My daughter was devastated and had the two older children checked. As they has a different father they did not have the disease or were carriers. Happy to say that although the little guy has to take enzymes he has gained weight and is healthy. The early diagnosis has us confident he will thrive.
- —Guest Diane
Thankful for newborn screening!
- I am the mother of 2 children with CF. My daughter is 3, my son is 6 months. My daughter was not diagnosed until she was 9 months old because our state did not do routine screening yet when she was born. She suffered terribly during that time. She only weighed 10# at age 9 months and she was always sick and in the hospital. She's doing great now, but I hate that she was so miserable for so long. When my son was born last year, he was screened for CF and like his sister, tested positive. He started going to the CF center right away for treatment. He is growing well and doing great, and he hasn't had to spend one day being miserable like his sister did.
- —CF_mama
