Cystic fibrosis. As they grow older

Twenty-eight patients with cystic fibrosis, who survived to over 18 years of age are reported. The ages at the time of diagnosis ranged from and two and half months to over 21 years. Manifestations of cystic fibrosis in adults and youngsters are compared and contrasted. A review of the patients surviving shows that steatorrhea is under control. There is no evidence of biliary cirrhosis in any of these patients. Rectal prolapse has not been an important factor. Pseudomonas and Staphylococci were the major infecting organisms causing lung disease. Two-thirds of the patients do not use prophylactic antibiotics and one-third do not practice regular pulmonary care. Two female patients died; one of Pseudomonas lung infection and respiratory failure, after a pregnancy that was carried to term (live baby); one, of respiratory failure, also with severe Pseudomonas respiratory tract infection, two years after a pregnancy that was terminated in the first trimester.