Clinical Profile and Growth Status in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A 2-year Follow up Study

Background: Cystic fibro sis (CF) is a common genetic disorder chiefly characterized by respiratory andgastrointestinal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and growthstatu s in CF patients at the time of diagnosis and following conventional treatment.Materials and Methods: A cro ss-sectional study was conducted on 67 CF pat ients who enrolled for at leasta two-year follow up period in the CF Clinic ofSarvar Pediatric Hospital. Disea se diagnosis was based ona positi ve sweat test. Growth indicators and initial clinical presentations of patients were registered at thetim e of diagnosis. Weight and height was measured at each clinical visit during follow up. All patients weretreated with enzyme replacement, vitamin and mineral supplements. Other medication s were prescribed asclinically indicated. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 16.0 for MS Windows.Results: The mean age of patients was 24.9±37.7 months at the time of diagnosis, whereas it was 3.1±2.1months at the onset of CF symptoms. At diagnosis, the majority of CF patients suffered from malnutrition,growth failure, and presented with pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms. After conventional and nutritionaltreatments, significant improvements were seen in weight and height.Conclusion: A delay in the diagnosis ofCF as seen in our country causes patients to further suffer from malnutritionand growth failure in comparison to developed countries. This emphasizes the necessity of neonatalscreening. The results of this study show the dramatic effects of nutritional treatment on growth status