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Riley Cystic Fibrosis Center Home
Flu Update from our CF Center Director
What is CF?
Diagnosis of CF
Newborn Screening
What to Expect at a Visit
Respiratory Care
Infection Control
Nutrition Care
Medications
What to do When You're Sick
Insurance/Reimbursement
Research
Quality Initiative
School/Daycare Information on CF
Transition to Adult Care
Upcoming Events/Educational Opportunities
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The diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is usually made after the primary care provider, usually a pediatrician or family practice physician, has concerns regarding signs and symptoms that may be suggestive of cystic fibrosis. This may include respiratory symptoms such as cough or recurrent pneumonia or gastrointestinal symptoms such as poor weight gain or diarrhea. Typically, both respiratory and nutritional concerns exist in the infant or child. The practitioner then refers the child to a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) accredited lab for a sweat chloride test or to a CFF accredited care Center where evaluation and testing can be completed. A diagnosis of CF is possible when there are positive signs and symptoms of the disease, or a positive family history and a test that confirms the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
Sweat Test
The usual test for CF is a sweat test. This test done at a special lab and involves a skin test which measures the amount of chloride (one of the body’s natural salts) in a collection of sweat. The test starts with the application of a chemical called pilocarpine to the skin, followed by a small electrical current that stimulates the sweat glands. The sweat is then collected and measured. Persons with cystic fibrosis have elevated or high levels of chloride in the sweat. This test takes about an hour to complete and the results are usually available the same day.
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Michelle Howenstine
Center Director
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Genetic Testing
Another possible way to diagnose CF is to send a blood sample to check for the exact genes involved in CF. This test is more expensive and may miss some patients because of the many gene mutations that can cause CF, as well as the inability to test all of these in a conventional test. It is usually ordered when the sweat chloride test is unable to give an accurate result, or at times when more specific information is needed after the diagnosis of CF is made.
Nasal Potential Difference
Rarely, a test called "nasal potential difference" is used to firmly diagnose CF in very complicated cases, but this test is generally used for research purposes. This test is available at most CF research centers and is usually possible in older children and adults. The nasal potential difference test takes several hours to complete.
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