How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

Host: If a child was born and wasn't gaining weight. Many times pediatricians include Cystic Fibrosis that differential even if the newborn screening was negative, is that true?

Michael Marcus: That is true. Not gaining weight. Not growing well are also signs of Cystic Fibrosis in the newborn. Newborn Cystic Fibrosis sometimes are unable to digest their formula properly and so they can't use the nutrients and grow properly.

Host: Why is that?

Michael Marcus: With Cystic Fibrosis, one of the abnormalities is that is very thick mucus which plugs up both the lungs, but also has a tendency to plug up and cause the pancreas not to function properly. The pancreas is the organ in our body that is responsible for producing enzymes that help us breakdown the food, digest the food so that we can use the nutrients to grow properly.

Host: You have a stool that's kind of unique? Isn't it?

Michael Marcus: Well the stools tends to be very fatty, foul-smelling tends to flow and that's because the fats that we are taking in by mouth aren't being digested since the enzyme is not being well produced properly by the pancreas.

Host: There used to be a rule, any kid got a pneumonia and you got a baby that's one thing you might be looking for?

Michael Marcus: Lung disease such as pneumonia is another sign of Cystic Fibrosis. The thick mucus that's produced plugs up the lungs, causes the lung to not to be functioning properly and makes it very easy for bacteria hidden there causing serious types of pneumonia.

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