<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> Daughters first irt screening test came back abnormal levels so we had the second test done where they pricker her foot. the test results came back today and they were the same as the first IRT test of a score of 212. does anyone know what this score necesarilly means. i think her next test will be the salt/sweat test, i am very scared as a parent. i do not want my daughter to be ill, she is so precious and special to me.
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Daughter 4 weeks old IRT Screening
- Thread starter gglouse
- Start date
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> Daughters first irt screening test came back abnormal levels so we had the second test done where they pricker her foot. the test results came back today and they were the same as the first IRT test of a score of 212. does anyone know what this score necesarilly means. i think her next test will be the salt/sweat test, i am very scared as a parent. i do not want my daughter to be ill, she is so precious and special to me.
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> Daughters first irt screening test came back abnormal levels so we had the second test done where they pricker her foot. the test results came back today and they were the same as the first IRT test of a score of 212. does anyone know what this score necesarilly means. i think her next test will be the salt/sweat test, i am very scared as a parent. i do not want my daughter to be ill, she is so precious and special to me.
Hello and welcome to the site. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0"> We are here to support you through this process and answer any questions you have... First of all, congratulations on the birth of your new little girl. I hope everything else is going well with her and you are able to enjoy these precious early days with her despite your worries over this. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Re. your question about the IRT test> as you may have been told, the IRT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, which is why it must be followed up by a sweat test and/or genetic testing in an effort to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. In actuality, most babies with an elevated IRT do NOT have CF! But due to the importance of accurately diagnosing those that do, all babies with a positive result must be tested to be sure and any worrisome symptoms followed up on.
What the IRT was looking for: it checks for levels of something called "immunoreactive trypsinogen", an enzyme produced by the pancreas that is often elevated in newborns that have cystic fibrosis. When it is elevated, it is followed up by a sweat test in most states, a genetic test in some.
The sweat test will be looking for abnormally high levels of sodium chloride and is not an invasive test at all. CF is caused by a genetic defect that, among other things, will usually result in sweat having higher levels of salt in it than usual. This test is more accurate if performed on babies past the newborn stage but results may still be lower than they would be w/ someone older. Genetic testing looking for the mutations that cause the disease can also be done, since sweat test values can vary dramatically. How they proceed with this will depend on what symptoms are also seen with the baby.
How is she doing- have there been any symptoms of concern (respiratory- i.e. congestion or cough, or digestive- weight loss, other than what is expected immediately following birth, abnormal stools, etc?)
I hope all turns out well, that your daughter does not turn out to have cf.
Re. your question about the IRT test> as you may have been told, the IRT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, which is why it must be followed up by a sweat test and/or genetic testing in an effort to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. In actuality, most babies with an elevated IRT do NOT have CF! But due to the importance of accurately diagnosing those that do, all babies with a positive result must be tested to be sure and any worrisome symptoms followed up on.
What the IRT was looking for: it checks for levels of something called "immunoreactive trypsinogen", an enzyme produced by the pancreas that is often elevated in newborns that have cystic fibrosis. When it is elevated, it is followed up by a sweat test in most states, a genetic test in some.
The sweat test will be looking for abnormally high levels of sodium chloride and is not an invasive test at all. CF is caused by a genetic defect that, among other things, will usually result in sweat having higher levels of salt in it than usual. This test is more accurate if performed on babies past the newborn stage but results may still be lower than they would be w/ someone older. Genetic testing looking for the mutations that cause the disease can also be done, since sweat test values can vary dramatically. How they proceed with this will depend on what symptoms are also seen with the baby.
How is she doing- have there been any symptoms of concern (respiratory- i.e. congestion or cough, or digestive- weight loss, other than what is expected immediately following birth, abnormal stools, etc?)
I hope all turns out well, that your daughter does not turn out to have cf.
Hello and welcome to the site. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0"> We are here to support you through this process and answer any questions you have... First of all, congratulations on the birth of your new little girl. I hope everything else is going well with her and you are able to enjoy these precious early days with her despite your worries over this. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
Re. your question about the IRT test> as you may have been told, the IRT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, which is why it must be followed up by a sweat test and/or genetic testing in an effort to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. In actuality, most babies with an elevated IRT do NOT have CF! But due to the importance of accurately diagnosing those that do, all babies with a positive result must be tested to be sure and any worrisome symptoms followed up on.
What the IRT was looking for: it checks for levels of something called "immunoreactive trypsinogen", an enzyme produced by the pancreas that is often elevated in newborns that have cystic fibrosis. When it is elevated, it is followed up by a sweat test in most states, a genetic test in some.
The sweat test will be looking for abnormally high levels of sodium chloride and is not an invasive test at all. CF is caused by a genetic defect that, among other things, will usually result in sweat having higher levels of salt in it than usual. This test is more accurate if performed on babies past the newborn stage but results may still be lower than they would be w/ someone older. Genetic testing looking for the mutations that cause the disease can also be done, since sweat test values can vary dramatically. How they proceed with this will depend on what symptoms are also seen with the baby.
How is she doing- have there been any symptoms of concern (respiratory- i.e. congestion or cough, or digestive- weight loss, other than what is expected immediately following birth, abnormal stools, etc?)
I hope all turns out well, that your daughter does not turn out to have cf.
Re. your question about the IRT test> as you may have been told, the IRT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, which is why it must be followed up by a sweat test and/or genetic testing in an effort to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. In actuality, most babies with an elevated IRT do NOT have CF! But due to the importance of accurately diagnosing those that do, all babies with a positive result must be tested to be sure and any worrisome symptoms followed up on.
What the IRT was looking for: it checks for levels of something called "immunoreactive trypsinogen", an enzyme produced by the pancreas that is often elevated in newborns that have cystic fibrosis. When it is elevated, it is followed up by a sweat test in most states, a genetic test in some.
The sweat test will be looking for abnormally high levels of sodium chloride and is not an invasive test at all. CF is caused by a genetic defect that, among other things, will usually result in sweat having higher levels of salt in it than usual. This test is more accurate if performed on babies past the newborn stage but results may still be lower than they would be w/ someone older. Genetic testing looking for the mutations that cause the disease can also be done, since sweat test values can vary dramatically. How they proceed with this will depend on what symptoms are also seen with the baby.
How is she doing- have there been any symptoms of concern (respiratory- i.e. congestion or cough, or digestive- weight loss, other than what is expected immediately following birth, abnormal stools, etc?)
I hope all turns out well, that your daughter does not turn out to have cf.
Hello and welcome to the site. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0"> We are here to support you through this process and answer any questions you have... First of all, congratulations on the birth of your new little girl. I hope everything else is going well with her and you are able to enjoy these precious early days with her despite your worries over this. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Re. your question about the IRT test> as you may have been told, the IRT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, which is why it must be followed up by a sweat test and/or genetic testing in an effort to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. In actuality, most babies with an elevated IRT do NOT have CF! But due to the importance of accurately diagnosing those that do, all babies with a positive result must be tested to be sure and any worrisome symptoms followed up on.
<br />
<br />What the IRT was looking for: it checks for levels of something called "immunoreactive trypsinogen", an enzyme produced by the pancreas that is often elevated in newborns that have cystic fibrosis. When it is elevated, it is followed up by a sweat test in most states, a genetic test in some.
<br />
<br />The sweat test will be looking for abnormally high levels of sodium chloride and is not an invasive test at all. CF is caused by a genetic defect that, among other things, will usually result in sweat having higher levels of salt in it than usual. This test is more accurate if performed on babies past the newborn stage but results may still be lower than they would be w/ someone older. Genetic testing looking for the mutations that cause the disease can also be done, since sweat test values can vary dramatically. How they proceed with this will depend on what symptoms are also seen with the baby.
<br />
<br />How is she doing- have there been any symptoms of concern (respiratory- i.e. congestion or cough, or digestive- weight loss, other than what is expected immediately following birth, abnormal stools, etc?)
<br />
<br />I hope all turns out well, that your daughter does not turn out to have cf.
<br />
<br />Re. your question about the IRT test> as you may have been told, the IRT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, which is why it must be followed up by a sweat test and/or genetic testing in an effort to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. In actuality, most babies with an elevated IRT do NOT have CF! But due to the importance of accurately diagnosing those that do, all babies with a positive result must be tested to be sure and any worrisome symptoms followed up on.
<br />
<br />What the IRT was looking for: it checks for levels of something called "immunoreactive trypsinogen", an enzyme produced by the pancreas that is often elevated in newborns that have cystic fibrosis. When it is elevated, it is followed up by a sweat test in most states, a genetic test in some.
<br />
<br />The sweat test will be looking for abnormally high levels of sodium chloride and is not an invasive test at all. CF is caused by a genetic defect that, among other things, will usually result in sweat having higher levels of salt in it than usual. This test is more accurate if performed on babies past the newborn stage but results may still be lower than they would be w/ someone older. Genetic testing looking for the mutations that cause the disease can also be done, since sweat test values can vary dramatically. How they proceed with this will depend on what symptoms are also seen with the baby.
<br />
<br />How is she doing- have there been any symptoms of concern (respiratory- i.e. congestion or cough, or digestive- weight loss, other than what is expected immediately following birth, abnormal stools, etc?)
<br />
<br />I hope all turns out well, that your daughter does not turn out to have cf.
Just wanted to share with you our history. My son also had a high IRT. One week later, repeat IRT was high. The next week we had a sweat test. It was a positive. My son is now 10 months old. It is very important to diagnose cf babies as early as possible, even though it is very difficult to hear. I was told that if the second IRT is high, the sweat test will be high and you will get a positive. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but that it what our doctor told us. I don't want to scare you, but I do want you to be as ready as possible. Research the disease before the sweat test results come back. That way, if it is positive, you have an idea of what is going on and can ask the appropriate questions. Does your baby taste salty when you kiss her forehead/neck? Most cf babies do. Mine did not until well after the sweat test, but most do. Good lick to you. Sending prayers your way!
Just wanted to share with you our history. My son also had a high IRT. One week later, repeat IRT was high. The next week we had a sweat test. It was a positive. My son is now 10 months old. It is very important to diagnose cf babies as early as possible, even though it is very difficult to hear. I was told that if the second IRT is high, the sweat test will be high and you will get a positive. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but that it what our doctor told us. I don't want to scare you, but I do want you to be as ready as possible. Research the disease before the sweat test results come back. That way, if it is positive, you have an idea of what is going on and can ask the appropriate questions. Does your baby taste salty when you kiss her forehead/neck? Most cf babies do. Mine did not until well after the sweat test, but most do. Good lick to you. Sending prayers your way!
Just wanted to share with you our history. My son also had a high IRT. One week later, repeat IRT was high. The next week we had a sweat test. It was a positive. My son is now 10 months old. It is very important to diagnose cf babies as early as possible, even though it is very difficult to hear. I was told that if the second IRT is high, the sweat test will be high and you will get a positive. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but that it what our doctor told us. I don't want to scare you, but I do want you to be as ready as possible. Research the disease before the sweat test results come back. That way, if it is positive, you have an idea of what is going on and can ask the appropriate questions. Does your baby taste salty when you kiss her forehead/neck? Most cf babies do. Mine did not until well after the sweat test, but most do. Good lick to you. Sending prayers your way!
Catherine is correct: a positive sweat test after 2 elevated IRT's is very much diagnostic for CF, even if you are not yet seeing symptoms. It is very important to find out early, though, because preventative treatment is vital to stave off damage caused by the disease. False negative sweat tests appear to be much more common from what we've seen here than false positives.
It's hard to find a reference to give you here that pins down the exact percentage of those who will have a false positive IRT (not sweat test) other than a 'high rate.' Cited causes for this are the baby being a carrier of the cf gene, prematurity, low birthweight, sickness during the neonatal time, technical error, some races are more predisposed to higher results (African American in particular), others for unknown cause. But since CF is so vital to diagnose in those who have it, it's still important to carry out this testing as part of the newborn screening despite a high incidence of false positive results.
It's hard to find a reference to give you here that pins down the exact percentage of those who will have a false positive IRT (not sweat test) other than a 'high rate.' Cited causes for this are the baby being a carrier of the cf gene, prematurity, low birthweight, sickness during the neonatal time, technical error, some races are more predisposed to higher results (African American in particular), others for unknown cause. But since CF is so vital to diagnose in those who have it, it's still important to carry out this testing as part of the newborn screening despite a high incidence of false positive results.
Catherine is correct: a positive sweat test after 2 elevated IRT's is very much diagnostic for CF, even if you are not yet seeing symptoms. It is very important to find out early, though, because preventative treatment is vital to stave off damage caused by the disease. False negative sweat tests appear to be much more common from what we've seen here than false positives.
It's hard to find a reference to give you here that pins down the exact percentage of those who will have a false positive IRT (not sweat test) other than a 'high rate.' Cited causes for this are the baby being a carrier of the cf gene, prematurity, low birthweight, sickness during the neonatal time, technical error, some races are more predisposed to higher results (African American in particular), others for unknown cause. But since CF is so vital to diagnose in those who have it, it's still important to carry out this testing as part of the newborn screening despite a high incidence of false positive results.
It's hard to find a reference to give you here that pins down the exact percentage of those who will have a false positive IRT (not sweat test) other than a 'high rate.' Cited causes for this are the baby being a carrier of the cf gene, prematurity, low birthweight, sickness during the neonatal time, technical error, some races are more predisposed to higher results (African American in particular), others for unknown cause. But since CF is so vital to diagnose in those who have it, it's still important to carry out this testing as part of the newborn screening despite a high incidence of false positive results.
Catherine is correct: a positive sweat test after 2 elevated IRT's is very much diagnostic for CF, even if you are not yet seeing symptoms. It is very important to find out early, though, because preventative treatment is vital to stave off damage caused by the disease. False negative sweat tests appear to be much more common from what we've seen here than false positives.
<br />
<br />It's hard to find a reference to give you here that pins down the exact percentage of those who will have a false positive IRT (not sweat test) other than a 'high rate.' Cited causes for this are the baby being a carrier of the cf gene, prematurity, low birthweight, sickness during the neonatal time, technical error, some races are more predisposed to higher results (African American in particular), others for unknown cause. But since CF is so vital to diagnose in those who have it, it's still important to carry out this testing as part of the newborn screening despite a high incidence of false positive results.
<br />
<br />It's hard to find a reference to give you here that pins down the exact percentage of those who will have a false positive IRT (not sweat test) other than a 'high rate.' Cited causes for this are the baby being a carrier of the cf gene, prematurity, low birthweight, sickness during the neonatal time, technical error, some races are more predisposed to higher results (African American in particular), others for unknown cause. But since CF is so vital to diagnose in those who have it, it's still important to carry out this testing as part of the newborn screening despite a high incidence of false positive results.