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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
[Cystic fibrosis of the child]
Malek Chaabouni1, Anas Krichen, Nabil Ben Halima
1Service de pédiatrie, CHU Hédi Chaker de Sfax.
Insights
Cystic fibrosis is not rare in North Africa, particularly Tunisia. Managing this genetic disorder presents significant challenges, requiring multidisciplinary expert collaboration and strong patient-family adherence for optimal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Medical Genetics
- Pulmonology
Context:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) was historically considered rare in North Africa, leading to diagnostic and therapeutic oversights.
- Increased diagnostic capabilities have revealed more CF cases in Tunisia in recent years.
- This study highlights the diagnostic and management challenges of CF in the region.
Purpose:
- To report on the incidence and clinical characteristics of cystic fibrosis cases diagnosed in Sfax University Hospital, Tunisia.
- To underscore the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties associated with cystic fibrosis in the North African population.
- To emphasize the need for improved awareness and management strategies for CF in Tunisia.
Summary:
- Seven cases of cystic fibrosis (3 boys, 4 girls) were identified between 1991 and 2000.
- Disease onset ranged from 3 months to 14 years, with an average age of 4 years and 10 months.
- Respiratory symptoms were predominant; 4 patients died by an average age of 5.5 years, while 3 survivors showed stable nutritional, digestive, and respiratory status.
Impact:
- Cystic fibrosis is more prevalent in Tunisia than previously thought.
- Effective CF management necessitates a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists.
- Successful treatment outcomes depend heavily on patient and family compliance with therapeutic regimens.
Abstract:
Cystic fibrosis was regarded a long time as exceptional in the Nord Africaine population and in particular in Tunisia what was at the origin of the ignorance of its various diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in our country. Nevertheless, with the development of the means of the diagnosis, several cases of cystic fibrosis were diagnosed these last years what will pose true problems of assumption of responsibility of these children like illustrates it well our experiment in the pediatric department of Sfax university hospital. In 10 years going of 1991 to 2000 we reported 7 cases of cystic fibrosis in the pediatric department of Sfax university hospital. Our patients are 3 boys and 4 girls. The age of revelation of the disease varied from 3 months to 14 years with 4 years and 10 months an average age. All our patients had a respiratory symptomatology in the foreground. The evolution was marked by the death of 4 patients at an average age of 5 years and half whereas the 3 surviving patients for the moment are more or less balanced on the nutritional level, digestive and respiratory. Cystic fibrosis is not exceptional in our area, its assumption of responsibility therapeutic is difficult, and it requires the collaboration of several experts and a good compliance of the child and of his family.
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