For Immediate Release:
June 5, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Governor Blunt Announces Improved Newborn Screening Program

 
JEFFERSON CITY- Gov. Matt Blunt announced today that Missouri's newborn screening program is now testing babies for cystic fibrosis. The state's newborn screening program tests all babies born in Missouri for a number of rare, but serious, health conditions. Many of the conditions can be treated with medication or a special diet.

"Expanding the newborn screening program will benefit Missouri parents, children and tax payers," Gov. Blunt said. "Adding cystic fibrosis to the screening panel will reduce hospitalizations by detecting and treating the disease as early as possible.  This will result in significant savings in health care costs, but more importantly it will help ensure that Missouri children receive the care they need."

Testing for cystic fibrosis is done by collecting a small sample of blood from a baby shortly after it is born.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. Cystic fibrosis also obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. It is anticipated that approximately 25 infants per year would be confirmed positive for cystic fibrosis in Missouri.

"An infant diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth will have the advantage of starting specialized treatments that were not available even a decade ago," Gov. Blunt said. "For the first time in the history of cystic fibrosis, many people with the disease are now living into adulthood."

Research has shown that early intervention with nutritional therapy for individuals with cystic fibrosis is beneficial in improving height, weight and cognitive function. Early intervention may also improve respiratory function as well as reduce the number of days of school missed due to disease.

Until the 1980s, individuals with full-blown cystic fibrosis were expected to die from complications in the second decade of life. Specialized medical care, aggressive drug treatments and therapies, and appropriate cystic fibrosis nutrition has increased the median age for survival to 37 years. Currently, more than 40 percent of people with cystic fibrosis in the United States are 18 years of age or older. Life expectancy is expected to increase even more as new therapies improve the health of those with cystic fibrosis. 

"Adding cystic fibrosis to the newborn screening panel will give newborns who have the disease a chance to live longer, fuller lives," said Jane Drummond, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

With the addition of cystic fibrosis to the newborn screening panel, Missouri's screening program will test for 28 of the 29 conditions recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and the March of Dimes. Only screening for biotinidase deficiency remains to be added in order to fully meet the recommendations. It is anticipated that screening for that condition will be added within the next year.

The state health department's decision to screen for cystic fibrosis is consistent with recommendations from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Missouri Genetic Advisory Committee, the American College of Medical Genetics and the March of Dimes.

More information about newborn screening in Missouri can be found at: www.dhss.mo.gov/NewbornScreening/.