All 50 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation requiring a cystic fibrosis (CF) screening for all newborns by 2010, according to an announcement from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).
Only five states required that CF be included on the list of mandatory screening conditions in 2005. After only 4 years, Texas and Connecticut are the final two states now establishing mandatory newborn screening programs. According to the CFF, Connecticut begins screening October 1, 2009, and Texas is expected to start in December 2009.
“We congratulate Texas and Connecticut for joining a nationwide effort to ensure that every child born with cystic fibrosis gets the best possible start in life,” said Robert J. Beall, PhD, president and chief executive office of the 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.”
