What is Cycstic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a life long illness that is usually diagnosed within the first few years of a baby's tiny life. The disorder causes problems with their digestion and the breathing, but it does not affect a childs intelligence or appearance.

Children with CF can usually be treated by medicine taken daily for their digestive problems and most will need to have respoirtory therapy every day, this will help clear muscus from the lungs,some of these treatments are costly without insurance.

Not all indivduals have the same symptoms some may be milder and some more severe, it is not always possible to tell from prenatal test on how severe or mild a child's symptoms will be, some people can live into their 40s or even longer and some will have a short lifespan and die in childhood, although there is no cure there is more effective treatmens underway and research being done.

Despite these physical problems children have with CF there are many that attend school, and fulfiling lives.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder and that is why a couple and be tested to see if they are at risk for having a child with CF, this test can be done through blood or saliva, but there is no treatment before birth, the reason for the testing and if you are at high risk of having a child with CF the information is given to you so you can prepare yourself for a child with special health care needs or if you so desire to terminate the pregnancy, but before making any decisions make sure you talk to your doctor because both parents have to be carriers to have child with CF.

If you are interested in learning more on Cystic fibrosis you can write or call them at
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
6931 Arlington Rd
Bethesda, MD 20814
1-800-FIGHT CF (1-800-344-4823)
WWW.CFF.ORG