John,
It is probable that the number of sweat tests done will reduce over time but
sweat testing will still have a role in the diagnostic protocol for the
investigation of those with continuing raised IRTs but no identifiable (or
only one identifiable) mutation. It will also continue to be used for older
children presenting with suspected CF or even screened children with
symptoms suggestive of CF.
Clearly if numbers do fall, then more labs will not reach the recommended
minimum in the National Guidelines for Sweat Testing and this may result in
further rationalisation.
Regards
Paul Griffiths
Birmingham Children's Hospital
-----Original Message-----
From: O'Connor John (Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust)
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 August 2005 12:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: To sweat or not, thats the question
I came across the following PDF,
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/newborn/download/nationalLaboratoryAlgorithm.pdf
which is referenced from the national electonic library of health, screening
website
http://libraries.nelh.nhs.uk/screening/viewResource.asp?uri=http://libraries
.nelh.nhs.uk/common/resources/?id=95742
The following link states that all babies should be screened by this
protocol by April 2007
http://libraries.nelh.nhs.uk/screening/viewResource.asp?keywordID=14202&attr
ibuteText=Neonatal%20Screening&uri=http%3A//libraries.nelh.nhs.uk/common/res
ources/%3Fid%3D95709
A summary of the recommendations can be found here
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/newborn/download/CFrecommendations.pdf
The first recommendation states
Recommendation 1: No alternative protocol should be offered to those who do
not want testing of blood spot samples - they would have to opt out of CF
screening altogether.
So I am guessing the days of sweat testing are numbered and macroduct
systems are gathering dust or perhaps not. How is everyone gearing up for
this.
Cheers
John
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