Cystic Fibrosis
What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease characterized by an abnormality in the glands that produce sweat and mucus. It is chronic, progressive, and is usually fatal. In general, children with CF live into their 30s.
Cystic fibrosis affects various systems in children and young adults, including the following:
- respiratory system
- digestive system
- reproductive system
There are about 30,000 people in the US who are affected with the disease, and about 1,000 babies are diagnosed with it each year. It occurs mainly in Caucasians, who have a northern European heredity, although it also occurs in African-Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.
Approximately one in 31 people in the US are carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene. These people are not affected by the disease and usually do not know that they are carriers.