Cystic Fibrosis Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

A genetic disorder, cystic fibrosis tends to majorly affect lungs while also affecting the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine.

It is a life threatening disease as the persistent ling infection may make it difficult for the affected individual to breath.

Inherited in an autosomal manner, it is caused by the presence of mutations in both copies of the gene for a protein. Having a single copy of the mutated gene leads an individual to become a carrier.

This protein is responsible for producing mucus, sweat and digestive juices. Having cystic fibrosis leads to these fluids to become thick and sticky thereby causing problems.

Although cystic fibrosis cannot be cured, antibiotic treatment may help in managing lung infections.

Approximately one out of every 3000 newborns is affected by cystic fibrosis and about one in 25 people are carriers.

Causes Of Cystic Fibrosis:

Cystic fibrosis is caused by a genetic mutation in the gene called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

There are over 1500 types of mutations which bring about cystic fibrosis. However, the most common one is ΔF508 (deletion of three nucleotides).

The CFTR gene is responsible for production of fluids ranging from mucous to digestive juices. When mutation occurs, CFTR tends to produce thick, sticky fluids.

In order to develop the disease, a child must inherit a copy of the mutated gene from both his mother and father. In case of having one copy, the child will be a carrier and would not develop cystic fibrosis.