Effect of gestational length on albumin content of meconium.

During a screening programme for the detection of CF using the meconium 
albumin technique, the overall false-positive rate was found to be approximately 
1%. When the gestational age of the infants was taken into 
account the false-positive rate was found to be significantly higher in 
preterm (8%) as compared to term infants (0.55%). This was due 
largely but not solely to the presence of occult blood. Possible 
explanations for these findings are discussed and attention drawn to the 
limitation of meconium albumin content as a screening technique for CF 
in preterm infants. 