Analysis of the costs of diagnosing cystic fibrosis with a newborn screening program

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the cost of diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) through a newborn screening program with the traditional method and to estimate the cost of CF diagnosis if a national newborn screening program is implemented.

Study design: Surveys were conducted to determine the annual number of sweat tests in 1991 and in 2000 after implementation of statewide screening. A national survey of sweat test costs was used to estimate the annual expense for diagnosing CF in the United States through newborn screening.

Results: Since the introduction of newborn screening for CF, the numbers of sweat tests ordered annually have decreased from 1670 to 804 (including 134 follow-up tests from screening). The current estimated annual cost of Wisconsin CF newborn screening and diagnosis is $4.58 per newborn infant. The estimated annual cost per newly diagnosed CF infant using the traditional method is $4.97 per newborn infant. If no additional sweat tests were ordered outside of the newborn screening program, the estimated annual cost of a Wisconsin CF newborn screening and diagnosis is $2.66 per newborn and $2.47 per newborn for a national CF newborn screening program.

Conclusions: A CF newborn screening program provides a potentially cost-saving alternative to the traditional method of diagnosis of CF.