Newborn Screening Results, going for Sweat Test

gregdpowell

New member
Hey Everyone, first off this forum is full of strong, inspirational people. Regardless of the results I have changed my view and emotions for parents and patients with CF.

Of course my wife and I are worried right now. Our son is just 13 days old and had his 2 week check up today. Nothing at all has been weird, his skin isn't salty tasting and he doesn't cough etc. I'm sure it's too early for symptoms.

Turns out his blood work done at the hospital showed an elevated level of 71 (65 is the norm) with 1 gene mutation. Of course there are false positives etc. I have been reading about.

I was reading on a blog here and found something that was encouraging to me. Can anyone else comment on this for me. I am sure there are some here that had this same thing and were CF diagnosed. Does this make sense?

- In states that measure (like mine) DNA as well as IRT:

Babies with two CF gene mutations found through newborn screening are very likely to have CF.

Babies with only one gene mutation found on a newborn screening may have CF, <u>but are much more likely to be healthy carriers of CF than to have the disease cystic fibrosis</u>. In most states, fewer than three out of 100 babies who have a positive newborn screen with one gene mutation will actually have CF. These babies with only one gene mutation are carriers of CF.

Babies who only carry one CF gene mutation will sometimes have a high IRT level. However, it is also possible that the baby might still have a second gene mutation which was not looked for in the newborn screening test - and might still have CF. The chance of a baby with one mutation found by newborn screening to have the disease CF depends on how many mutations the screening test looked for and the ethnic background of the people in your state. It is most likely that a baby with one mutation is a healthy carrier of CF. However, more testing, such as a sweat test, will need to be done.

Just praying hard my little dude is ok. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
 

gregdpowell

New member
Hey Everyone, first off this forum is full of strong, inspirational people. Regardless of the results I have changed my view and emotions for parents and patients with CF.

Of course my wife and I are worried right now. Our son is just 13 days old and had his 2 week check up today. Nothing at all has been weird, his skin isn't salty tasting and he doesn't cough etc. I'm sure it's too early for symptoms.

Turns out his blood work done at the hospital showed an elevated level of 71 (65 is the norm) with 1 gene mutation. Of course there are false positives etc. I have been reading about.

I was reading on a blog here and found something that was encouraging to me. Can anyone else comment on this for me. I am sure there are some here that had this same thing and were CF diagnosed. Does this make sense?

- In states that measure (like mine) DNA as well as IRT:

Babies with two CF gene mutations found through newborn screening are very likely to have CF.

Babies with only one gene mutation found on a newborn screening may have CF, <u>but are much more likely to be healthy carriers of CF than to have the disease cystic fibrosis</u>. In most states, fewer than three out of 100 babies who have a positive newborn screen with one gene mutation will actually have CF. These babies with only one gene mutation are carriers of CF.

Babies who only carry one CF gene mutation will sometimes have a high IRT level. However, it is also possible that the baby might still have a second gene mutation which was not looked for in the newborn screening test - and might still have CF. The chance of a baby with one mutation found by newborn screening to have the disease CF depends on how many mutations the screening test looked for and the ethnic background of the people in your state. It is most likely that a baby with one mutation is a healthy carrier of CF. However, more testing, such as a sweat test, will need to be done.

Just praying hard my little dude is ok. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
 

gregdpowell

New member
Hey Everyone, first off this forum is full of strong, inspirational people. Regardless of the results I have changed my view and emotions for parents and patients with CF.
<br />
<br />Of course my wife and I are worried right now. Our son is just 13 days old and had his 2 week check up today. Nothing at all has been weird, his skin isn't salty tasting and he doesn't cough etc. I'm sure it's too early for symptoms.
<br />
<br />Turns out his blood work done at the hospital showed an elevated level of 71 (65 is the norm) with 1 gene mutation. Of course there are false positives etc. I have been reading about.
<br />
<br />I was reading on a blog here and found something that was encouraging to me. Can anyone else comment on this for me. I am sure there are some here that had this same thing and were CF diagnosed. Does this make sense?
<br />
<br /> - In states that measure (like mine) DNA as well as IRT:
<br />
<br />Babies with two CF gene mutations found through newborn screening are very likely to have CF.
<br />
<br />Babies with only one gene mutation found on a newborn screening may have CF, <u>but are much more likely to be healthy carriers of CF than to have the disease cystic fibrosis</u>. In most states, fewer than three out of 100 babies who have a positive newborn screen with one gene mutation will actually have CF. These babies with only one gene mutation are carriers of CF.
<br />
<br />Babies who only carry one CF gene mutation will sometimes have a high IRT level. However, it is also possible that the baby might still have a second gene mutation which was not looked for in the newborn screening test - and might still have CF. The chance of a baby with one mutation found by newborn screening to have the disease CF depends on how many mutations the screening test looked for and the ethnic background of the people in your state. It is most likely that a baby with one mutation is a healthy carrier of CF. However, more testing, such as a sweat test, will need to be done.
<br />
<br />Just praying hard my little dude is ok. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I'd say you have pretty accurate information there. The chances are pretty good that your sweet new baby boy is just a carrier, but I'm glad to hear that your doctors are taking this seriously. Since you know he for sure has one gene mutation (probably DF508) it would be in his best interest to make sure he doesn't have another one -- and that means running the full Ambry Complete sequencing, duplications and deletions.

I wish you luck and hope that you won't need this site again.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I'd say you have pretty accurate information there. The chances are pretty good that your sweet new baby boy is just a carrier, but I'm glad to hear that your doctors are taking this seriously. Since you know he for sure has one gene mutation (probably DF508) it would be in his best interest to make sure he doesn't have another one -- and that means running the full Ambry Complete sequencing, duplications and deletions.

I wish you luck and hope that you won't need this site again.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I'd say you have pretty accurate information there. The chances are pretty good that your sweet new baby boy is just a carrier, but I'm glad to hear that your doctors are taking this seriously. Since you know he for sure has one gene mutation (probably DF508) it would be in his best interest to make sure he doesn't have another one -- and that means running the full Ambry Complete sequencing, duplications and deletions.
<br />
<br />I wish you luck and hope that you won't need this site again.
 

just1more

New member
You are correct, it is possible to fail the newborn screening and only be a carrier. Especially when you have a known common defect such as DF508. So you are aware 2 mutations = CF; 1 mutation = carrier.

The DNA test they ran as part of the screening only looked for the most common couple of dozen mutations of over 1500 that have been linked to CF. However, they make up the VAST majority of cases of CF; thus why if it only finds one the odds are decent he is a carrier.

The only way to know for 'sure' is run a full screening, such as the Ambry test, to look for the rarer mutations. Also at this point a sweat-test is going to be useless. They are a indicator but not sufficient for diagnosis; and since you already have 1 confirmed defect, the line between carrier & CF is dependent on if there is a 2nd mutation.

Either way I wish your family the best; and both now and then if you get a + result; please free to make yourself a home here this site has some amazing people on it.
 

just1more

New member
You are correct, it is possible to fail the newborn screening and only be a carrier. Especially when you have a known common defect such as DF508. So you are aware 2 mutations = CF; 1 mutation = carrier.

The DNA test they ran as part of the screening only looked for the most common couple of dozen mutations of over 1500 that have been linked to CF. However, they make up the VAST majority of cases of CF; thus why if it only finds one the odds are decent he is a carrier.

The only way to know for 'sure' is run a full screening, such as the Ambry test, to look for the rarer mutations. Also at this point a sweat-test is going to be useless. They are a indicator but not sufficient for diagnosis; and since you already have 1 confirmed defect, the line between carrier & CF is dependent on if there is a 2nd mutation.

Either way I wish your family the best; and both now and then if you get a + result; please free to make yourself a home here this site has some amazing people on it.
 

just1more

New member
You are correct, it is possible to fail the newborn screening and only be a carrier. Especially when you have a known common defect such as DF508. So you are aware 2 mutations = CF; 1 mutation = carrier.
<br />
<br />The DNA test they ran as part of the screening only looked for the most common couple of dozen mutations of over 1500 that have been linked to CF. However, they make up the VAST majority of cases of CF; thus why if it only finds one the odds are decent he is a carrier.
<br />
<br />The only way to know for 'sure' is run a full screening, such as the Ambry test, to look for the rarer mutations. Also at this point a sweat-test is going to be useless. They are a indicator but not sufficient for diagnosis; and since you already have 1 confirmed defect, the line between carrier & CF is dependent on if there is a 2nd mutation.
<br />
<br />Either way I wish your family the best; and both now and then if you get a + result; please free to make yourself a home here this site has some amazing people on it.
 

hmw

New member
Heather's post pretty much echoed what I would say. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I wanted to add a couple points about the sweat test though. At your son's age it can be hard to get a sufficient sample to get accurate results, so negative results may not be reliable. However, a positive result combined with a positive newborn screen would NOT be considered 'useless' by any means- but is rather a very strong indicator of a CF diagnosis. Genetic testing is still vital but a positive result leaves less room for speculation than any other outcome of the sweat test.
 

hmw

New member
Heather's post pretty much echoed what I would say. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I wanted to add a couple points about the sweat test though. At your son's age it can be hard to get a sufficient sample to get accurate results, so negative results may not be reliable. However, a positive result combined with a positive newborn screen would NOT be considered 'useless' by any means- but is rather a very strong indicator of a CF diagnosis. Genetic testing is still vital but a positive result leaves less room for speculation than any other outcome of the sweat test.
 

hmw

New member
Heather's post pretty much echoed what I would say. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />I wanted to add a couple points about the sweat test though. At your son's age it can be hard to get a sufficient sample to get accurate results, so negative results may not be reliable. However, a positive result combined with a positive newborn screen would NOT be considered 'useless' by any means- but is rather a very strong indicator of a CF diagnosis. Genetic testing is still vital but a positive result leaves less room for speculation than any other outcome of the sweat test.
 

gregdpowell

New member
Thanks so much guys for the feedback. Our test is on Thursday. It's been SUCH a long week <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
I am really still hoping that my baby is ok. I think the chances are good that he's a carrier still from what I read here and your replies. Is it true that most babies that have a newborn screen and then the genetic test with 1 mutation end up being carriers?
When your kids were 3 weeks old did their skin taste salty at all?
Thank you so much guys.
 

gregdpowell

New member
Thanks so much guys for the feedback. Our test is on Thursday. It's been SUCH a long week <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
I am really still hoping that my baby is ok. I think the chances are good that he's a carrier still from what I read here and your replies. Is it true that most babies that have a newborn screen and then the genetic test with 1 mutation end up being carriers?
When your kids were 3 weeks old did their skin taste salty at all?
Thank you so much guys.
 

gregdpowell

New member
Thanks so much guys for the feedback. Our test is on Thursday. It's been SUCH a long week <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
<br />I am really still hoping that my baby is ok. I think the chances are good that he's a carrier still from what I read here and your replies. Is it true that most babies that have a newborn screen and then the genetic test with 1 mutation end up being carriers?
<br />When your kids were 3 weeks old did their skin taste salty at all?
<br />Thank you so much guys.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I believe the stats is like 9 out of 10 positive newborn screens are just carriers.

As for tasting salty, my daughter never tasted salty and I don't think she does much to this day.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I believe the stats is like 9 out of 10 positive newborn screens are just carriers.

As for tasting salty, my daughter never tasted salty and I don't think she does much to this day.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I believe the stats is like 9 out of 10 positive newborn screens are just carriers.
<br />
<br />As for tasting salty, my daughter never tasted salty and I don't think she does much to this day.
 

hmw

New member
The vast majority of those with elevated IRT levels only (not all states include any genetic testing as part of newborn screening) are false positives.

It would be a lower percentage of those that have both elevated IRT as well as one mutation found that do not have CF, but odds are still in your favor that your child is a carrier.

I don't know if Emily tasted salty as an infant. She does taste very salty now. My other children do not. Her sweat test result was twice as high as one of my sons and 3x as high as the other.
 

hmw

New member
The vast majority of those with elevated IRT levels only (not all states include any genetic testing as part of newborn screening) are false positives.

It would be a lower percentage of those that have both elevated IRT as well as one mutation found that do not have CF, but odds are still in your favor that your child is a carrier.

I don't know if Emily tasted salty as an infant. She does taste very salty now. My other children do not. Her sweat test result was twice as high as one of my sons and 3x as high as the other.
 
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