title: Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis in Alberta: Two years of experience.
abstract: On April 1, 2007, Alberta became the first province in Canada to introduce cystic fibrosis (CF) to its newborn screening program. The Alberta protocol involves a two-tier algorithm involving an immunoreactive trypsinogen measurement followed by molecular analysis using a CF panel for 39 mutations. Positive screens are followed up with sweat chloride testing and an assessment by a CF specialist. Of the 99,408 newborns screened in Alberta during the first two years of the program, 221 had a positive CF newborn screen. The program subsequently identified and initiated treatment in 31 newborns with CF. A relatively high frequency of the R117H mutation and the M1101K mutation was noted. The M1101K mutation is common in the Hutterite population. The presence of the R117H mutation has created both counselling and management dilemmas. The ability to offer CF transmembrane regulator full sequencing may help resolve diagnostic dilemmas. Counselling and management challenges are created when mutations are mild or of unknown clinical significance.
authors: Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton;
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Lilley
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Christian
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Hume
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Scott
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Montgomery
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Semple
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Zuberbuhler
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Tabak
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Bamforth
authors: Martin J
authors: MJ
authors: Somerville