|
•
Disorders
•
Health
Professionals' Page
•
Parents' Page
• Reports
& Publications
•
Related Links
•
NBS News
•
NBS Privacy Policy
•
Statistics
•
Contact NBS
|
|
|
Q. What is CF? |
|
A. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a treatable disorder that
affects the body’s control of salt levels. It causes thick, sticky mucus to
build up in the lungs and digestive system and other organs. |
|
Q. What does it mean
if my baby has an abnormal CF screen? |
|
A. It means that further testing is needed because your
baby might have CF. Only about 1 in 3 babies with abnormal newborn
screening results in Washington State will actually have CF. However, it’s
important to find out soon because a baby who has CF will do much better if
treatment begins early. |
|
Q. How do I find out if my baby has CF? |
|
A. Another test,
called a “sweat test”, is needed to find out if your baby has CF. Performing
this painless test on babies requires very special capability that is only
available at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation accredited care centers. There are
centers in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Portland, Oregon. Your health care
provider can arrange for the testing at the center closest to you. |
|
Q. When can my baby have the sweat test?
|
|
A. The sweat test is most reliable when the baby is two weeks of age or older,
although it may be done earlier. Some babies will have inconclusive results
and need to have additional testing.
|
|
Q. What are the
effects of having CF ?
|
|
A.
CF causes thick,
sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system and other organs of
the body. This can lead to respiratory and digestive problems that can be very
serious. Early detection and treatment is especially helpful to improve the
digestive problems, growth and development.
|
|
Q. What is the treatment for CF? |
|
A.
Treatments will vary depending on the baby, but will typically include special
medicine to help the baby’s digestion, a high-calorie, high-protein diet and
special chest therapy. The best medical care for babies with CF is at care
centers that are accredited by the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. |
|
|
Q. Why would a baby have CF? |
|
A. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder. It results when a baby receives a
non-working CF gene from each parent. You can get more information about this
from your health care provider or through the cystic fibrosis care center where
the sweat test is done. |
|
Q. How common is CF? |
|
A. About one in every 3,500 babies in the United States is born with cystic
fibrosis.
|
|
For more information
about cystic fibrosis, please see the Disorders section of our website: www.doh.wa.gov/nbs
|
Documents posted in .pdf version on the Department of Health Web site will be
made available in an alternative format on request to users who are unable to
download or view .pdf files on the Web. To request an alternative format,
contact:
Gary Resler.
DOH
Home
| Access Washington | Privacy
Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright
Information
Washington State Department of Health
Newborn Screening Program
1610 NE 150th Street NE
Shoreline, Washington, 98155
Last
Update :
11/20/2006 10:15 AM
Send inquires about DOH and its programs to the Health
Consumer Assistance Office
Comments or questions regarding this web site? Send mail to
Gary Resler.
|
|
