newborn screening programme
Cystic fibrosis (newborn)
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. Symptoms include malabsorption of food, failure to thrive, chest infections and pneumonia. If not treated CF can result in death. Due to improved therapies, life expectancy for people with CF has improved to around 37 years.
Read more about cystic fibrosis on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in March 2017.
The UK NSC recommended screening for CF based on the evidence from screening already happening across parts of the UK. In 2015, the UK NSC reviewed whether there was any evidence to alter or stop CF screening and found nothing to suggest that screening should not continue.
Supporting documents from the 2017 review
UK NSC Pilot Triage cystic fibrosis newborns (2015)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
Screening around the UK
The UK NSC recommends screening for this condition, however this may vary slightly depending on where you are in the UK.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2017
Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Cystic fibrosis (newborn)
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- British Association of Perinatal Medicine
- Cystic Fibrosis Trust
- Faculty of Public Health
- Genetic Alliance UK
- Institute of Child Health
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Midwives
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.