title: Clinical practices for intermediate sweat tests following abnormal cystic fibrosis newborn screens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) has become standard practice in many countries. Consequently, the prevalence of infants with intermediate sweat test results has increased. This study examined clinical practices in the United States (US) related to intermediate sweat test results subsequent to NBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respondents from 77 (47% response rate) US CF centers completed telephone surveys documenting clinical practices related to intermediate sweat chloride levels (30-59 mmol/L) following abnormal NBS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty percent of centers followed CF Foundation guidelines for classifying intermediate results. There was much variability in sweat testing procedures, diagnostic labels, additional diagnostics, addressing prognosis, and services offered to parents. CF center staff identified a need for resources to better address the uncertainty associated with intermediate results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest the need for education regarding current guidelines and consensus regarding the nomenclature and services offered to families of newborns with intermediate sweat test results.
authors.affiliation: Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau, WI 54401, USA.
authors.forename: Megan R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Adamski
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tluczek
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013542:Sweat