Implications of fatherhood in cystic fibrosis

Advances in fertility treatment mean that men with CF are increasingly able to become fathers. Here we report clinical outcomes in 22 men with CF who have become fathers for the first time. Overall mean (SD) FEV_1% predicted declined from 60.1(18.0)% to 57.4(20.2)% from baseline to 1 year (p = 0.15). Weight declined from mean (SD) 70.6 kg (10.4) to 68.3 kg (10.2), p = 0.0001. Six men had an FEV₁% predicted ≤40% at the time of birth: 50% died or received lung transplantation within the 12-15 month follow up period. Becoming a parent is a major life event, and as with new mothers, fathers with CF may be at risk of significant decline.