The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in newborn infants is lower than previous estimates had indicated, according to the HSE.

National Newborn Bloodspot Screening statistics for 2012 show that 28 positive cases of CF were discovered in newborn infants.

The HSE, which runs the scheme, says of the 109,764 newborns screened in the 18 months from July 2011 to December 2012, 44 cases of CF were detected.

This gives an incidence of one in 2,500 cases, which the HSE is lower than the one in 2,000 cases previously estimated.

This is the first time that that data has been available on the indidence of CF detected through newborn screening In Ireland.

In addition to the 44 cases of CF discovered in the past 18 months, three cases of variant CF were noted and 86 cases were identified as carriers of cystic fibrosis. Carriers do not fall ill with CF but can pass on the condition to their children.

The bloodspot screening programme, or 'heelprick test', screens all newborn infants for six rate conditions including CF.

The HSE says newborn screening means infants with CF are identified earlier, can be started on treatment with a high energy diet to improve weight gain and medicines and physiotherapy to improve lung function.

It says early treatment of people with CF can improve quality of life and prolong life.

The HSE points out, however, that not all children with CF will be detected by the newborn screening programme.

Ireland has been estimated to have the highest incidence of CF in the world.

Living with CF

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland website