When a provider refers a patient for a newborn screening at The Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center, the patient and provider can expect that CF experts, including pulmonologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, dieticians, social workers, genetic counselors, and psychologists will provide thorough care and support to each patient and their family.

The genetic counselor serves as a dedicated CF newborn screening program coordinator, providing the family and referring provider a single contact person who specializes in cystic fibrosis. The counselor’s services and expertise are available from the time of scheduling an appointment for a sweat test, a test that measures the amount of salt in your child’s sweat and will determine if your child has CF, all the way through any additional tests or appointments that may be needed. Preliminary sweat test results are usually available immediately after the sweat test is completed, and final results are available later the same day. If your child requires additional work-up it may include further testing or same day consultation with a pediatric pulmonologist, a doctor that diagnoses and treats infants, children, and adolescents for a range of lung and airway disorders.

University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview is the Twin Cities’ only accredited CF Center to offer a complete genetic counseling session on the same day as the sweat test, when the appointment is made by calling (612) 889-6623 or (612) 624-5721. At this appointment, the genetic counselor addresses family members’ questions and concerns, reviews the results of the newborn screening and sweat test, and discusses further recommendations for the infant and the family. A full written report of the consultation is sent to the family and their pediatrician.

Appointments
Appointment times are available Monday through Friday, within 24-48 hours of a referral. To schedule an appointment, call (612) 889-6623 or (612) 624-5721.

Click here for further information about the cystic fibrosis newborn screening.