Newfoundland and Labrador offers newborn testing for cystic fibrosis

Photo from Babycenter.com

JOHN’S, N.L. – Newborns in Newfoundland and Labrador will now be tested for cystic fibrosis.

The additional testing was announced in the 2014 budget after years of lobbying by families who have kids with CF.

The test is performed by using a small blood sample to check for higher than normal levels of a chemical called immunoreactive trypsinogen (trip-SIN-oh-gin), or IRT.

Positive screen results require additional testing, but do not necessarily mean a child has the disease.

Officials say it might mean they are at an increased risk.

The province is one of the last in Canada to introduce newborn screening for cystic fibrosis.