title: Diagnosis of cystic fibrosis during adolescence.
abstract: The manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) may be minimal, absent, or overlooked during childhood, thus 8-10% of cases are diagnosed during adolescence. Between 1970 and 1982, 14/157 (8.9%) patients were diagnosed as having CF as teenagers, based on clinical findings and elevated sweat electrolyte levels. Of these 14 patients (means = 15 years, range = 12-20 years), 50% had pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms dating from childhood; 50% became symptomatic during adolescence (primarily with pulmonary manifestations). None had a family history of CF. Four had false-negative sweat tests resulting in a mean diagnostic delay of 7.3 years. Because of the potential long-term complications of CF on physical maturation, completion of the psychosocial tasks of adolescence, adaptation to a chronic illness, and issues of sexuality and fertility, consideration of this diagnosis is crucial.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D013542:Sweat / Q000032:analysis; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D012964:Sodium