Psychological Effects of False-Positive Results in Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening: A Two-Year Follow-Up

Objective To evaluate parental stress after a false-positive result at the time of the cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS), attributable to heterozygotism or persistent hypertrypsinemia. Study design A prospective study was conducted in 86 French families at 3, 12, and 24 months after NBS. A psychologist conducted interviews with a questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Vulnerable Child Scale. Results Overall, 96.5% of parents said they had been anxious at the time of the sweat test. However, 86% felt entirely reassured 3 months after the test. The mean Perceived Stress Scale score did not differ from that observed in the French population. Mean Vulnerable Child Scale scores were high, associated with a low Parental Perception of Child Vulnerability. These results did not differ significantly at 1 and 2 years. In total, 86% to 100% of families no longer worried about CF. All parents stated that they would have the test performed again for another child. Conclusions CF NBS can lead to false-positive results, causing parental anxiety, which quickly decreases after a sweat test performed soon after the phone call. (J Pediatr 2010; 156: 771-6).