false positive rate
The percentage of screening tests that incorrectly identify healthy newborns as having a condition they do not actually have.
Full Definition
The false positive rate in newborn screening represents the proportion of infants who screen positive for a condition but are subsequently determined to be unaffected through confirmatory testing. This rate is a critical quality metric for screening programs, as high false positive rates can lead to unnecessary anxiety for families, increased healthcare costs, and reduced confidence in the screening program. Optimal screening programs aim to minimize false positives while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting affected infants. False positive rates vary significantly among conditions and screening methodologies, typically ranging from less than 0.1% to several percent depending on the specific test and cutoff values used.
Usage
Usage note: Often expressed as a percentage. Distinguish from positive predictive value, which is related but different metric.
In Context
- "The laboratory reduced the false positive rate for PKU screening by implementing revised cutoff values based on local population data." — Quality improvement report
- "Monitoring false positive rates is essential for maintaining program effectiveness and family satisfaction with newborn screening." — Program evaluation study