The thick mucus can build up in organs in the body, which can cause many problems.
Thick mucus can cause blockages and clog the organs.
This prevents the organs from functioning normally, leading to:
Cystic fibrosis is often diagnosed in childhood.
Kemal Yildirim / Getty Images
The complications from cystic fibrosis can lead to decreased life expectancy.
How Common Is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic Fibrosis by Ethnicity
Cystic fibrosis is most often diagnosed in those of European descent.
It is diagnosed equally in people of any sex.
The condition is present at birth.
Its inheritance is in an autosomal recessive pattern.
The gene alters the way sodium, and thereby water, is regulated in the cells of the body.
When this happens, the mucus that is supposed to be thin and watery is instead thick and sticky.
This then causes dysfunction in multiple areas of the body.
What Are the Mortality Rates for Cystic Fibrosis?
There is no cure for cystic fibrosis.
Those living with cystic fibrosis will likely have areduced life expectancybecause of it.
Previously, cystic fibrosis was often fatal during the first year of life.
The main cause of death related to cystic fibrosis is progressive lung disease and respiratory failure.
If the newborn screening test is positive for cystic fibrosis, additional testing will likely be done.
Adults without cystic fibrosis can have a genetic test to detect the cystic fibrosis gene.
Couples who each have one copy of the gene may consider this in their reproductive options.
Routine newborn screening tests include cystic fibrosis so it can be detected early and treated.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.About cystic fibrosis.
2022;31(163).
doi:10.1183/16000617.0111-2021
Turcios NL.Cystic fibrosis lung disease: an overview.Respiratory Care.
2020;65(2):233-251. doi:10.4187/respcare.06697
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Carrier testing for cystic fibrosis.
