Sweat testing infants detected by cystic fibrosis newborn screening

Abstract

Objective: Describe and define limitations of early pilocarpine iontophoresis (sweat testing) for cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS).

Study design: Population-based results from follow-up of CF NBS-positive newborns.

Results: Insufficient quantity of sweat is more likely if the sweat test is done too early, but testing is generally successful after 2 weeks of age. Sweat chloride levels drop over the first weeks of life. CF carriers have higher sweat chloride concentrations than non-carriers.

Conclusions: Sweat testing can be performed effectively after 2 weeks of age for CF NBS-positive newborns. Earlier testing has a higher risk of insufficient sweat for completing testing.