Screening for cystic fibrosis in the newborn.

In an 8-year period, a programme of screening for cystic fibrosis has 
been conducted over an extensive part of Wales. The screening method 
used is based on the detection of a high level of 
albumen (greater than 20 mg%) in the meconium. During the course 
of the investigations several different tests have been used. Because of 
the high incidence of false-negative results (34%) the detection of protein 
in meconium is not an ideal screening test, but is the 
most satisfactory presently available, in the newborn period. Because of its 
relative simplicity, low cost, absence of direct involvement of the parent 
or patient, and a high yield of positive cases, its use 
on a wider scale may be justified. 