Anaesthesia for the parturient with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that primarily affects the exocrine glands of the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. It is commonly diagnosed at birth or shortly thereafter, and until recently few of these patients lived to reproductive age. However, as a result of improved medical care, there are now an increasing number of pregnancies in women with cystic fibrosis. We present the histories of two parturients with cystic fibrosis and discuss the anaesthetic and perinatal implications of this complex disease to their management.