Frequent Symptoms
Many children today are diagnosed withcystic fibrosisbefore symptoms appear.
In the United States, mandatory newborn screening programs can identify CF with one or two simple tests.
By that time, many will already have sustained an injury to the lungs and other vital organs.
Illustration by Verywell
Your healthcare provider may describe this as failure to thrive (FTT).
FTT is more than just a general assessment of your childs development.
Within the context of cystic fibrosis, FTT is associated with poorer outcomes.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
People with CF often get recurrent infections which can cause permanent scarring in their lungs.
Mortality
Respiratory failureaccounts for roughly 80 percent of deaths in people with CF.
Cardiorespiratory complications (heart and lungs) are the second leading cause.
Gastrointestinal
The accumulation of mucus can also affect thepancreas, the organ responsible for producing digestive enzymes.
Acute pancreatitis can trigger fatal complications including heart, lung, or kidney failure.
Thickened mucus secretions can also block bile ducts of the liver, leading to the development of gallstones andcirrhosis.
In fact, liver disease is the third most common cause of death in people with CF.
As many as 97% of men with CF will have infertility.
Coagulation Disorder
In rare cases, cystic fibrosis can lead to a condition known as a coagulation disorder.
With that being said, many kids still fall through the cracks.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Other symptoms usually appear by age 2.
All newborns are screened for CF in the U.S. Atypical CF is a milder form of thegenetic disease.The symptoms vary widely.
In general, though, there may only be one organ affected.
You may pass CF on to a child if your partner is also a carrier.
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Neemuchwala F, Ahmed F, Nasr SZ.Prevalence of pelvic incontinence in patients with cystic fibrosis.Glob Pediatr Health.
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doi:10.1016/j.jcf.2017.06.007
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