Newborn Screening

All babies born in Ohio get a small blood test after birth. This test is called the Newborn Screening. It looks for more than 40 health conditions that can be treated early. Every state does newborn screening. One of the conditions all states check for is cystic fibrosis (CF).

How Ohio Tests for Cystic Fibrosis

Ohio uses two steps to screen for CF.

• Step 1: IRT Test
  • Measures a chemical in the blood called IRT (immunoreactive trypsinogen)
  • If the IRT level is high, then your baby gets the second test
• Step 2: Genetic Test
  • Looks for over 600 possible gene changes that can cause CF
  • If one or more gene changes are found, the result is “screen positive”
  • “Screen positive” means more testing is needed. It does NOT mean that your baby has CF.

A “Screen Positive” Result Does NOT Mean Your Baby Has CF

The newborn screen only shows which babies might have CF. It does not diagnose the condition. More than 95% of the time, the result is a false alarm. Often, the baby is simply a CF carrier.

• Carriers do not have CF
• Carriers can pass the gene on to their children someday.

Next Step: The Sweat Test

If the screen is positive, your baby will get a sweat chloride test.

This is the best test to tell if a child has CF.

For the sweat test:

• Your baby should be at least 3-4 weeks old
• Your baby needs to weigh enough to make sure we can get enough sweat (Sometimes the test is done later if the baby is small or born early)

Where the Sweat Test Happens

The sweat test is usually done in the morning at:

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Orange Lab
• One of our other Laboratory Services locations

Later that same day, you will meet with a provider, such as a genetic counselor or lung specialist, to:

• Review the test results
• Answer your questions
• Explain what the results mean for your baby and your family
• Talk about any next steps