Newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis has been used in all 50 states and the District of Columbia since 2010. Variations among states in the U.S. regarding CF NBS algorithms and follow-up practices can lead to differences in equity, sensitivity, and timeliness of intervention. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation organized a multidisciplinary committee that performed systematic reviews to develop seven recommendations for newborn screening program practices to improve timeliness, sensitivity, and equity in diagnosing infants with CF.

McGarry ME, Raraigh KS, Farrell P, et al. Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening: A Systematic Review-Driven Consensus Guideline from the United States Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Int. J. Neonatal Screen. 2025, 11(2), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijns11020024. Epub 2025 Apr 2.

Use of These Guidelines

The published guideline summarizes evidence, and provides reasonable clinical recommendations based on that evidence, to clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders. Care decisions regarding individual patients should be made using a combination of these recommendations, the associated benefit-risk assessment of treatment options from the clinical team, the patient's individual and unique circumstances, as well as the goals and preferences of the patients and families that the team serves, as a part of shared decision-making between the patient and clinician.

The guidelines were published in April 2025.