An efficient newborn screening test for detecting cystic fibrosis has been available for over 20 years but is only now coming into widespread use. Blood immunoreactive trypsin is elevated in babies with cystic fibrosis and its measurement in dried blood spots is the primary screening tool. Poor discrimination in the first week requires a re-sampling step. The identification of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene and the discovery of a common mutation has allowed a combination of the primary screening test with a DNA test using the same sample. Differing genetic backgrounds have led to the development of population-specific protocols. A false-negative rate of around 5% is usual. Specificity is high. In all protocols involving a DNA test, confirmation of the diagnosis by sweat test is necessary when only one mutation is identified, identification of some carriers therefore being unavoidable. Careful counselling is needed for the families of these carriers.