Cystic fibrosis is a life threatening disorder that will cause severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies if not treated. Cystic fibrosis is inherited and affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, saliva and digestive juices. Individuals who suffer from cystic fibrosis have a defective gene which causes their secretions to become thick and sticky. Most of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis are the results of these secretions.
The specific symptoms will vary with the severity of the disease in each individual. For example, one child may have respiratory problems and not digestive problems but another may have both. In addition to the variety related to the severity of the disease, the symptoms can also vary with the age of the individual.
Cystic fibrosis is often diagnosed in infancy because physicians and researchers have learned to recognize symptoms that point to a diagnosis. In some newborns, the first symptom can be a block in their intestines. This is called a meconium ileus. Meconium is the first stools normally passed in the first day or two of life. In newborns who suffer from cystic fibrosis, the meconium becomes so thick it cannot move through the intestine.
Other symptoms of cystic fibrosis in newborns can include a failure to grow, bulky and greasy stools or frequent respiratory infection.
Symptoms in children and young adults will be different. Because individuals who experienced cystic fibrosis have a higher than normal amount of salt in their sweat parents may notice a salty taste to their skin when they kiss their child. Digestive issues will also cause a blockage in the bowels or foul-smelling and greasy stools. Children may have delayed growth or frequent sinus infections and reoccurring pneumonia or bronchitis.
Even young children can suffer from rectal prolapse, where the rectum protrudes from the outside of the anus. This is caused by constipation and straining to pass stool as well as frequent coughing.
Older children and young adults may also suffer from rounding, or clubbing, of the fingertips and toes. This symptom is a result of a low concentration of oxygen in the blood and will also happen in children born with heart disease or other types of lung problems.
Frequent coughing will bring up thick sputum, or phlegm, which parents don\’t often recognize because children swallow it. Children may also exhibit a huge appetite or decreased weight gain and growth. This is because the body does not absorb nutrients from food and the individual suffers from chronic malnutrition, even though they eat more than other children their age.
Cystic fibrosis can also lead to diagnoses of sinusitis when the mucus in the sinuses become infected; Brochiectasis when the two airways become stretched and flabby and mucus collect; pancreatitis; episodes of intestinal blockage; diabetes; gallstones; liver disease; collapsed lung and low bone density.
Cystic fibrosis symptoms are usually varied and known to the patient. In rare cases individuals grow to adolescence before diagnosis. In these cases cystic fibrosis will lead to infertility in males.
RESOURCES
MayoClinic: Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: About Cystic Fibrosis
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What is Cystic Fibrosis
Lucile Packard Children\’s Hospital at Stanford: Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis
National Jewish Health: Cystic Fibrosis Signs and Symptoms