by Associated Press
Published: Sat, April 19, 2008 - 1:41 pm CST
Last Updated: Sat, April 19, 2008 - 1:50 pm CST
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - All newborns in Alabama will be screenedfor cystic fibrosis, starting Monday, as doctors check for the
life-threatening illness that's one of the most common genetic
diseases in the United States.
Health officials say the test can be done with the same blood
samples already drawn from newborns and will not cost extra money.
Cystic fibrosis is the eighth test added to the state's newborn
screening requirements since 2007 and covers Alabama for all but
one of the 29 genetic, metabolic, hormonal and function disorders
that the March of Dimes recommends for newborns.
The screening has long been planned but was delayed as the state
made sure the two cystic fibrosis centers in Birmingham and Mobile
were prepared for an influx of patients needing additional tests.
The centers are located at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,
Children's Hospital of Alabama and the University of South Alabama.
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