According to medical sources, children who carry a predisposition for cystic fibrosis risk serious lung damage and malnutrition if not detected early. The PKU test is taken on newborns to help identify such conditions. The specific methods or treatments used to detect cystic fibrosis early in newborns have not been detailed.
Additionally, it is unknown how common cystic fibrosis is in Sweden or globally, and what the survival rates are with early detection. News and in-depth coverage from Sweden and the world report on these health issues. The PKU test may screen for other conditions besides cystic fibrosis, but this remains unclear.