Aliquippa, PA
A 34-year-old female asked:
My husband 82 yr old grandpa was diagnosis w cystic fibrosis. should i get my kids tested one is 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 or never had any genetic tests done?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Doubt your Dx: There is a rare but different disease called fibrocystic disease of the lung.It has nothing at all to do with cystic fibrosis, which is evident in most kids in their first year.For one to live to 82 with the disease would likely be a world record.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Roberts commented
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Excellent suggestion! In the US, the average age at survival for those affected with cystic fibrosis is 40 years, if parents have no insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, and 50 years if they have private insurance, the same survival rate of Canadians under their 1-payor system. https://www.statnews.com/2017/03/13/cystic-fibrosis-canadians-americans/
Oct 8, 2017
Dr. Amrita Dosanjhanswered
Pediatric Allergy and Asthma 37 years experience
Screening test: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease and there are many mutations of the CF gene..
Since CF is part of your family's genetic history, i would suggest screening your children. If your father's exact genetic mutation is known, then the genotype testing should include this in the analysis. Some children are diagnosed with other illnesses such as asthma, when in fact they have cf. Hope this helps.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 8, 2017
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