Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is now offered to all newborn babies born in Ireland on or after 1 st July 2011. This test is included as part of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme. As part of the introduction of CF Newborn Screening, the information and consent processes for parents have been updated and enhanced. Parents will now be provided with a parent information leaflet and will give written consent to their child being screened and to the revised Newborn Screening Card being stored for 10 years. Details on the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme are available on www.newbornscreening.ie.

In preparation for this service development, a continuing education programme was developed for midwives, public health nurses and nurses in children’s units/ hospitals who are the sample takers of this test. This programme is being delivered in the Centres of Nursing/Midwifery/ Children’s Nurse Education throughout the country. A specific continuing education programme was also developed and provided for the CF Nurses in the 6 designated CF specialist centres as an adjunct to the National Guideline for Cystic Fibrosis Nurses for the First Contact Telephone Call.

Ireland has the highest incidence of CF compared to other EU countries, and early identification and care will enhance the outcomes for children with CF. For further information contact: Mary Godfrey, Project Lead-Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis. Email: mary.godfrey@hse.ie Phone: 01 6352664/087 6987522.