Toronto — Starting late next year, newborn babies in Ontario will be tested for cystic fibrosis in addition to 27 other diseases.
Health Minister George Smitherman says the province will spend an additional $1.2-million a year to incorporate testing for cystic fibrosis into the Newborn Screening Program.
Mr. Smitherman says early detection of the disease in newborns will help ensure they receive proper care as soon as possible.
There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but early detection and treatment can reduce its burden on children and increase their life expectancy.
The genetic disease affects mainly the lungs and digestive system, causing severe breathing problems and often leading to infections.
An estimated one in every 3,600 children born in Ontario has cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians.
