Cystic fibrosis. A disorder of adults too!

Cystic fibrosis is the most frequently occurring lethal hereditary disorder among whites. Many persons with cystic fibrosis now live into their adult years, and some cases are not diagnosed until adulthood. As a result, the disorder is no longer rare in adults. Respiratory symptoms and findings usually predominate, but a host of other complications that arise in adults also present therapeutic challenges to physicians. While no cure is yet available for cystic fibrosis, genetic counseling can help couples determine their relative risk for parenting a child with the disorder.