QUESTION: I would be very grateful to you if you would consider discussing cystic fibrosis in your column.
Can you please give me some information as to its causes or where it comes from? Thank you.
ANSWER: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease.
It is caused by a recessive gene, which means that a person can carry the gene without having CF, and that although the children of parents who carry the gene have a chance of getting CF, they also may be normal. In the United States, CF is most common in white people, affecting one in every 3,000 births, compared to only one in 17,000 black children, and it is even rarer among Oriental babies. Treatment of CF has improved to the point where half of children with CF live to adulthood.
Symptoms may include wheezing and coughing, but the clearest indicator of CF is that the child simply doesn't seem to thrive.
He or she will probably have a history of respiratory tract infections and poor digestion. Not only can tests diagnose whether a child has CF, new tests are helpful in identifying who is carrying the gene, in diagnosing the disease in newborns and even before birth, during the first trimester of pregnancy.
In families that already have at least one child with CF, DNA analysis can be used to diagnose CF during pregnancy.
The earlier CF is diagnosed, the sooner the family can begin to cope with it. Because CF runs in families, it is important for people who have a history of CF in their families to find out if they are carriers.
This information can help them to make informed choices about having children, and lead to early diagnosis and help for their children.
You can obtain further information from your doctor or by contacting your local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that is listed in your local telephone book.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
