Test strip meconium screening for cystic fibrosis.

The Boehringer-Mannheim Corporation (BMC) strip test is extremely reliable in indicating an 
albumin content above 20 mg/gm of dried meconium. All infants born 
during one year in 14 Milwaukee area hospitals were tested. Of 
16,224 newborns, two were diagnosed correctly as suffering from cystic fibrosis 
and two were missed. False-positive tests were obtained in 0.9% of 
infants (prematurity, melena, gastroschisis, and intrauterine infection). The strip test is, 
at present, the best available but not the perfect screening method 
for cystic fibrosis. 