About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life threatening genetic disorder affecting New Zealand children.Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disorder. A baby can only be born with the disorder if both parents carry the abnormal gene. It is not caused by any previous illness suffered by one of the parents or by anything that happened during the mother's pregnancy. It is non-contagious.
CF affects a number of organs in the body (especially the lungs and pancreas) by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus. In the lungs this can cause shortness of breath, a chronic cough and repeated chest infections. If the blockages affect the pancreas this will reduce or stop enzymes from being released to digest food, causing problems with poor weight gain and malnutrition due to malabsorption.
At present there is no cure for CF, but the affected gene has been identified and researchers are working to find ways to repair or replace it, and medications to treat CF complications.
On the following pages you will information on:
Cause of Cystic Fibrosis
Genetic inheritance of CF
Diagnosis & Screening:
Complications at Birth, Guthrie Test, Sweat Test and Genetic & Carrier Testing
Symptoms:
Lung, Digestive System and Other Organs
Treatments:
Physiotherapy, Medications, Exercise, Nutrition, Transplant
Living with CF:
Hygiene and Cross Infection, CF at School, Teenagers with CF and Transition to Adult Clinic, Travel and Having a Family, Where to get information and Healthy Web Surfing
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