The Importance Of Screening And Diagnosis Of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes thickened mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. It affects a specific protein called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) that controls the normal movement of sodium, chloride, and water in and out of the cells within the body. Those diagnosed with CF have either too little or abnormal CFTR. When CFTR is absent or defective, the mucus usually secreted by the cells in the pulmonary airways, pancreatic ducts, and gastrointestinal tract become thickened, leading to obstructions, frequent infection, and loss of function in the affected organs (Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors, 2018). According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Brand PL, van der Ent CK. The Practical Application and Interpretation of Simple Lung Function Tests in Cystic Fibrosis. J R Soc Med. 1999;92 (Suppl 37):2–12. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

Cystic fibrosis is an existence restricting autosomal recessive disorder that influences 70,000 people around the world. The condition is known to affect principally those of European descent, though cystic fibrosis has been accounted for in all races and ethnicities. [12] Unusually viscous emissions in the airway of the lungs and in ducts of the pancreas in people with cystic fibrosis cause hindrances that prompt aggravation, tissue harm and destruction of both organ systems. Studies show that Cystic Fibrosis is more prominent in White Americans than African Americans, and Hispanics. A large number of Americans are carriers of this mutated Cystic Fibrosis gene, however if an individual is affected they must acquire two of these genes keeping

Cystic Fibrosis is a life threatening condition that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. Developing this condition can change a person's entire life. Depending on the severity of the condition a person can be affected by mild symptoms such as shortness of breath, all the way to severe symptoms such as rectal prolapse, or even death. Screening is done on infants in all 50 states; therefore if a child has inherited Cystic Fibrosis it will be known in the first months of life. As professional staff members of a nursing community it will be necessary to help prepare the child and the family for the life of Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis causes abnormal amounts of excessively thick and sticky mucus to develop within the lungs, airways and the digestive system. Due to the thick and sticky mucus, digestive functions in the pancreas are impaired and bacteria is trapped in the lungs causing recurrent lung infections. Cystic Fibrosis Victoria (2015) states that symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis can include:

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation provides support to help improve the lives of people who live with the disease. The foundation’s main goal is to find a cure to Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease caused by changed in a gene on chromosome seven. It is described as a buildup of mucus in the lungs and organs. The mucus in the lungs clogs the airways and bacteria grows, gets blocked in and eventually leads to infections that causes lung damage. After lung damage has occurred, respiratory failure then happens.

A defect in the CFTR gene, or cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene, is what causes Cystic Fibrosis. Every person inherits two of these genes, one coming from each parent. If a child inherits a faulty CFTR gene from both parents they will have CF. If a child inherits only one faulty CFTR gene, they are considered “CF carriers” ("What Causes Cystic Fibrosis?," 2013). More than 10 million Americans are carriers of the defective CF gene ("Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Testing for Cystic Fibrosis," 2014). Carriers are able to live a normal, healthy life and they usually have no symptoms of CF, however, they could pass the faulty CFTR gene down to their children ("What Causes Cystic Fibrosis?," 2013). Carrier testing is available to help people identify if they could pass down the gene. The test uses blood samples or scraped cells from inside the cheek to look at a person’s genetic material ("Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Testing for Cystic Fibrosis," 2014). The figure below shows how the CFTR gene can be inherited (Kotrla, 2014).

The type of mutation that causes Cystic Fibrosis occurs in the CFTR gene, or Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene. This gene is important to the body because it helps provide channels that transport negatively charged particles (chloride ions) in and out of the cell. Chloride has an important role in the human body by how it controls the movement of water in tissue, which allows mucus to become thin. Mutations in the CFTR gene interrupts the function of the chloride channels. It makes the regulating process of the flow of chloride ions and water across the cell membranes not happen. This causes passageways to produce mucus that is very thick. The thick mucus causes these passageways to clog, and trap

Cystic fibrosis affects many of the body’s systems this includes the lungs and digestion. If you have CF your mucus becomes thick and sticky. It builds up in your lungs and blocks your airways. The mucus blocks the air passages in the lungs and creates bacteria. Numerous infections and blockages can cause permanent lung damage and death. Sticky mucus can also block tubes or ducts in

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that cause very serious damage to the lungs and also the other parts of the digestive system. Cystic fibrosis affects the cell in other ways like harming the cell that produces mucus, sweat and also digestive juices. The are normally thin and glossy so that makes it very slippery. In people with CF, a defective gene causes a thick, buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients. People with cystic fibrosis are at greater risk of getting lung infections because thick, sticky mucus builds up in their lungs, allowing germs

Cystic fibrosis, also known as mucoviscidosis, is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestines. Some symptoms are difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections. Other signs and symptoms include sinus infections, poor growth, fatty stool, clubbing of the finger and toes, and infertility in males among others. Different people may have different stages of the symptoms. In the lungs the mucus stops the air ways up with bacteria leading to lung damage or maybe even respiratory failure. There is also more major symptoms like very salty tasting skin, pneumonia or bronchitis.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease. It’s very common In the United States. It’s also very common amongst the Caucasian population. Its effects 1 in every 3,000 new born babies. Cystic fibrosis is less common in other ethnic groups. Effecting 1 in every 17,000 African Americans and 1 in every 30,000 Asian Americans. It causes the body to make a very thick type of mucus. The mucus is caused by an unbalance in salt in a person’s body. Leaving few to no salt and water on the outside of cells. When this happens the thin mucus that keeps the lungs free of germs becomes sticky. Cystic fibrosis effects the liver, lungs, pancreas, and the intestines. This disease makes it hard to breath and causes serious lung infections. The mucus affects the digestion by blocking the pancreas

Many tests may be performed before a person is ever diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. A newborn screening test can be done to check an infants’ blood sample for a certain component related to CF. Many other tests must be completed before diagnosis. A sweat test is necessary for confirmation of CF. If a sweat test is not completely accurate, genetic testing must be

Abstract: The main goal of this paper is to explain what Cystic Fibrosis is and also to explain what

This is a great improvement over survival rate of the 1950s with the life expectancy of 1 year or less for cystic fibrosis patients. Unfortunately, since it is a recessive genetic disease, there are many men and women who are carriers of the disease without actually having the disease themselves. If each parent is a non-affected carrier of cystic fibrosis, there is only a 25 percent chance of having a non-affected, non-carrier child and 50 percent chance of having a child that is a non-affected carrier of cystic fibrosis. Unfortunately there is also a 25 percent chance of having a child affected by cystic fibrosis. This makes prenatal genetic screening very important.