Cystic Fibrosis Flashcards
(42 cards)
What type of condition is cystic fibrosis?
Autosomal recessive
What does cystic fibrosis result in?
Increased viscosity of secretions (e.g. lungs and pancreas).
Which organs are classically affected in someone with CF?
Pancreas and lungs
What is cystic fibrosis due to?
A defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR), which codes a cAMP-regulated chloride channel
What does the CFTR gene code for?
A cAMP-regulated chloride channel
What are 80% of the cases of CF in the UK due to?
Delta F508 on the long arm of chromosome 7
How many people are carriers of the CF gene?
1 in 25
How many people have cystic fibrosis?
1 in 2500
How does CF typically present in neonates?
Meconium ileus
Failure to thrive
Rectal prolapse
What is meconium ileus?
Not passing meconium within 48 hours, abdominal distention and vomiting.
(meconium blocks the last part of the baby’s small intestine (ileum). Above the blockage, the small intestine becomes enlarged as it fills with everything the baby swallows.)
How can CF present in older children/ adults?
- Recurrent chest infections
- Malabsorption- steatorrhoea, failure to thrive
How is CF screened in new borns?
Bloodspot test
When is the newborn bloodspot test done?
Day 5-9
What is the gold standard for diagnosing CF?
Sweat test
How can CF present in later childhood and early adulthood?
- short stature
- diabetes mellitus
- delayed puberty
- rectal prolapse
- nasal polyps
- male infertility, female subfertility
Why can patients with CF get rectal prolapse?
Due to bulky stool
What is abnormal about a patient with CF’s sweat?
Abnormally high sweat chloride
What level of chloride is normal in a patients sweat?
- normal value < 40 mEq/l,
What level of chloride would you expect in a patient with CF?
> 60 mEq/l
Which organisms may colonise a patient with CF?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Burkholderia cepacia*
- Aspergillus
What is the main management of CF?
Chest physiotherapy and postural drainage (2x day)
What diet is recommended for patients with CF?
High calorie diet, including high fat intake
What should patients with CF try to minimise?
Contact with other CF patients to prevent cross infection
What are patients with Cf at risk of cross infection of?
Burkholderia cepacia complex and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
