AIM: To describe the attitudes among parents towards including cystic fibrosis (CF) in the newborn screening programme and towards the potential knowledge of their own carrier status. METHODS: A questionnaire with three to five response categories and an information leaflet was posted to 143 CF parents, 3 matched diabetes and 3 matched population parents, the response rate being 85%, 74% and 70%, respectively. Comparisons between groups were made with statistical tests for independent groups. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of CF, 70% of diabetes and 77% of population parents were in favour of newborn screening for CF, 47%, 45% and 50%, respectively, wished to know their CF carrier status. The parental attitude was independent of the age of the child, as well as delay of diagnosis and well-being of the CF child at the time of diagnosis. Sixty percent of the CF parents experienced the diagnosis as delayed. CONCLUSION: Parents in Sweden support CF newborn screening. Half of the parents wanted to know their CF carrier status.
AIM: To describe the attitudes among parents towards including cystic fibrosis (CF) in the newborn screening programme and towards the potential knowledge of their own carrier status. METHODS: A questionnaire with three to five response categories and an information leaflet was posted to 143 CF parents, 3 matched diabetes and 3 matched population parents, the response rate being 85%, 74% and 70%, respectively. Comparisons between groups were made with statistical tests for independent groups. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of CF, 70% of diabetes and 77% of population parents were in favour of newborn screening for CF, 47%, 45% and 50%, respectively, wished to know their CF carrier status. The parental attitude was independent of the age of the child, as well as delay of diagnosis and well-being of the CF child at the time of diagnosis. Sixty percent of the CF parents experienced the diagnosis as delayed. CONCLUSION: Parents in Sweden support CF newborn screening. Half of the parents wanted to know their CF carrier status.