Cystic Fibrosis Case Studies

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic and inherited disease that is life threatening. CF effects not only one’s breathing with continuous lung infections by lining the lungs with mucus, but can also trap infections by blocking the airway. The buildup of mucus effects the digestive system by preventing prevents the digestive enzyme process from breaking down food and obtaining nutrients. An infant that has been diagnosed with CF has inherited two copies of the defective CF gene, a copy from each parent as a carrier. When screening infants for cystic fibrosis, the most effective way to prevent serious lifelong complications is to diagnosis the disease early. In a study that surveyed parental support for newborn screening, the results revealed that almost half of the parents wanted to know their carrier status prior to having a baby …show more content…
A sweat test can rule out a false IRT test by measuring the amount of chloride in the sweat. A cystic fibrosis heel prick can collect blood on a Guthrie card and is sent to a state laboratory for testing. To summarize (Vernooij-van Langen, Gerzon, Loeber, Dompeling, & Dankert-Roesle, 2014), cystic fibrosis patients who have been diagnosed before the age of two will receive the optimal benefits as their studies have shown a limited time frame to treat lung disease and avoid malnutrition with further complications.
Treatment for children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis can be inhaled liquid medications that get deep into their airways, increased nutrition with a high calorie diet, fitness regimen, and even a lung transplant. Breathing techniques are taught to loosen and force out mucus. This can decrease the risk for infection as bacteria is less likely to build up with blockage. Diagnosing cystic fibrosis at a young age can assist with the development of a treatment plan with a child’s provider and family to reduce risk for