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Cystic fibrosis and the gastrointestinal tract
Insights
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder impacting children, particularly those of Northern European descent. This review focuses on CF's gastrointestinal issues, crucial for pediatric healthcare providers to understand.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Genetic Disorders
- Nursing Health
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a significant genetic disease, predominantly affecting individuals of Northern European ancestry.
- Pulmonary complications are well-documented in pediatric CF patients.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of CF are less frequently discussed in nursing literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of cystic fibrosis.
- To highlight the gastrointestinal presentation of CF in infants and children.
- To inform healthcare providers, especially pediatric nurse practitioners, about developmental concerns related to CF.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on cystic fibrosis.
- Focus on gastrointestinal and hepatic effects.
- Identification of developmental concerns for pediatric nursing.
Main Results:
- Cystic fibrosis impacts multiple organ systems, including the pancreas, gut, and liver.
- Understanding GI presentation is vital for managing chronic pediatric CF cases.
- Specific developmental issues relevant to pediatric nurse practitioners are outlined.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers need comprehensive knowledge of CF, including its GI aspects.
- Early recognition and management of GI symptoms are essential for pediatric CF patients.
- This review aims to bridge the knowledge gap in nursing literature regarding pediatric CF GI care.
Abstract:
Cystic fibrosis is known to be a serious genetic disease among those of northern European ancestry. Well known to nurses are the pulmonary insults to survival for children with cystic fibrosis. An aspect of health care not often found in the nursing literature is a focus on cystic fibrosis gastrointestinal presentation. Because of the chronic nature of cystic fibrosis, those providing health care to children must have an understanding of the disease in the growing infant and child. An overview of cystic fibrosis and the possible effect on the pancreas, gut, and liver are reviewed. Areas of developmental concern to the pediatric nurse practitioner are listed.