Cystic fibrosis

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Clubbing Postural drainage Clubbed fingers Cystic fibrosis

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Cystic fibrosis

Because there are more than 1,000 mutations of the CF gene, symptoms differ from person to person. But in general they include:

• No bowel movements in first 24 to 48 hours of life
• Stools that are pale or clay colored, foul smelling, orthat float
• Infants may have salty-tasting skin
• Recurrent respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or sinusitis
• Coughing or wheezing
• Weight loss, or failure to gain weight normally in childhood
• Diarrhea
• Delayed growth
• Fatigue

In May 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first DNA-based blood test to help detect CF. The test looks for variations in a gene known to cause the disease. Other tests use to diagnose CF include:

• Sweat chloride test. This is the standard diagnostic test for CF. A high salt level in the patient's sweat indicates the disease.
• Fecal fat test
• Upper GI and small bowel series
• Measurement of pancreatic function

Cystic fibrosismayalter the results of the following tests:

• Trypsin and chymotrypsin in stool
• Secretin stimulation test
• Chest x-ray or CT scan
• Lung function tests

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves First DNA-based Test to Detect Cystic Fibrosis. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; May 16, 2005. Press Release P05-23.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. What is CF? Available at http://www.cff.org/about_cf/what_is_cf/. Accessed May 16, 2005.

Email this page  Printer friendly  Bookmark this page