Cystic Fibrosis is now included in newborn screenings, according to the Indiana State Department of Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Task Force.

Indiana is the fifteenth state to test for all 29 target newborn screening conditions recommended by the March of Dimes. With the newest addition, every newborn in the state will be screened for a total of 45 conditions.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition causing frequent respiratory infections and digestive complications shortly after birth. Without a newborn screen, it is most commonly diagnosed when children are between the ages of 2 and 4. Nearly five percent of children with Cystic Fibrosis die before they can be diagnosed.

By including Cystic Fibrosis in the newborn screen, children with Cystic Fibrosis can potentially be diagnosed within the first month of life and receive treatment earlier, which will greatly improve their overall health. Approximately 300 Indiana children per year will have a positive Cystic Fibrosis newborn screen, of which 40 will be diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

After receiving a positive Cystic Fibrosis screening, a child's primary care provider will receive a packet of information from the Indiana State Department of Health to better assist the patient's follow-up care. State health officials recommend children be referred to centers approved by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and that families receive genetic counseling.

For more information about Cystic Fibrosis, go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Web site at www.cff.org.