Cystic Fibrosis (Cont.)

Prenatal Testing for Cystic Fibrosis

Prenatal genetic testing can help you find out if your baby is likely to have cystic fibrosis.

(Click Prenatal Testing for Cystic Fibrosis for more information.)
 

Other Names for Cystic Fibrosis

Other names for cystic fibrosis include:
 
  • CF
  • Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas
  • Fibrocystic disease of the pancreas
  • Mucoviscidosis
  • Mucoviscidosis of the pancreas
  • Pancreas fibrocystic disease
  • Pancreatic cystic fibrosis.
     

Summary of Cystic Fibrosis

Key information about cystic fibrosis includes the following:
 
  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease of your mucus and sweat glands. CF affects mostly your lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses, and sex organs.
     
  • In cystic fibrosis, an abnormal gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene causes mucus to become thick and sticky. This mucus builds up in the lungs and blocks the airways, creating an environment that makes it easy for bacteria to grow. This leads to repeated serious lung infections that can damage your lungs.
     
  • The mucus can also block tubes, or ducts, in your pancreas so that the digestive enzymes it produces cannot reach the intestines where they are needed to break down food.
     
  • When you perspire, your body loses large amounts of salt. This can upset the balance of minerals in your blood, which can cause a heat emergency.

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD