Comparison of two different protocols of neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis

The results of two different protocols of neonatal cystic fibrosis (CF) screening in the Lazio region of Italy are reported. The first study, conducted from 1992 to 2000 on about 200,000 newborns, consisted of an immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) protocol without mutation analysis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, referred to as the IRT/IRT protocol. Approximately 5% of the newborns with a positive first IRT test were also positive at the second test; approximately 57% of the newborns with a high IRT level at the second test were subsequently found to be affected by CF. In September 1998, a second protocol that included mutation analysis (IRT/DNA/IRT protocol) was started. Comparison of the two different screening protocols in terms of sensitivity in detecting CF patients demonstrated that the IRT/DNA/IRT protocol is more effective because it is able to detect a higher number of CF patients than the IRT/IRT protocol. In the same period, in addition to the overall diagnosis performed on a screening basis, 64 other subjects were identified as being affected by CF on the basis of symptomatic findings. The overall incidence of CF (screening + symptoms) was 1:2982, while that for carriers was 1:27. The sensitivity of the screening program increased over the period from 1992 to 2000, with the enhanced sensitivity in the past 2 years being due to the introduction of the IRT/DNA/IRT protocol.