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Updated: Jun 19, 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
'Old' bones in young bodies: the tale of cystic fibrosis
Amy A Sparks1, Sarah J McGee, Cheryl E Boone
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disease within the white population and leads to premature respiratory failure. Approximately, 60 000 individuals are currently living with CF in North America and Europe, almost half of whom are adults.
Recent Findings:
Dozens of studies across the globe indicate that CF adults have low bone density and increased rates of fractures. This genesis of the problem appears to be in late childhood to adolescence.
Summary:
Prevention and treatment of CF-related bone disease must address the myriad risk factors (decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins due to pancreatic insufficiency, altered sex hormone production, chronic lung infection with increased serum levels of proinflammatory, bone-active cytokines, malnutrition and low body weight, physical inactivity and glucocorticoid therapy) for poor bone health. This review will address the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of bone disease in CF. It will also discuss best practice guidelines for optimizing bone health in patients with CF.
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