Yes, you can have a mild case of cystic fibrosis. In many cases, this is what is known as atypical cystic fibrosis (CF). This type of CF has limited symptoms. In addition, some children are simply not affected as severely as others or suffer symptoms in all organ systems. Cystic fibrosis can affect children and adults in many different ways.
While you may think having a mild case of cystic fibrosis is a positive thing—and it is in many ways—there can also be downfalls. Children with atypical CF or mild symptoms may face increased morbidity if they do not receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
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Understanding What Causes Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis occurs because of a gene mutation passed down from both parents. The condition makes the child develop especially thick, sticky mucus. This causes problems in many areas of the body, most common in the lungs and digestive tract. It can cause the child to suffer chronic infections, malnutrition, and other respiratory and digestive concerns.
Some children struggle with problems with other organ systems, while some have few symptoms or mild symptoms.
Couples may undergo a genetic screening prior to conception to determine the likelihood of either parent passing cystic fibrosis onto the child. Other parents have their fetus genetically tested for this condition in the early stages of development.
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U.S. Hospitals Test for Cystic Fibrosis at Birth
The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that cystic fibrosis is diagnosed in between one and 2,500 to 3,500 newborns of white ethnicity. It occurs in other ethnic groups but is much less common. Still, this condition is common enough in newborns that hospitals routinely test babies through a blood test shortly after birth.
Unfortunately, though, this test is not fail-proof. Some children may receive a false negative, and their CF may not receive a diagnosis until they develop symptoms and become very ill.
Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms
Some children with CF may be born with a tell-tale symptom, an issue that occurs because their first bowel movement is too thick to move through the digestive tract and causes a blockage. Later signs may include:
- Persistent coughing and wheezing
- Shortness of breath and breathing concerns
- Chronic respiratory infections
- Coughing and wheezing
- Extremely salty-tasting sweat
- Bulky stools that are extremely greasy
- Malnutrition or difficulty gaining weight
- Constipation
Some babies may begin to show signs of CF during their first year. However, symptoms may be difficult to spot or may not seem like a big deal if the signs are mild.
If you believe your child may have a mild case of cystic fibrosis, take them to a doctor for an immediate evaluation.
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Doctors Have a Responsibility to Provide Adequate Care
If your child has a mild case of cystic fibrosis, this does not make it acceptable for your doctor to fail to identify and treat your child’s condition, either because they misdiagnose their condition or miss the diagnosis. If another doctor with the same training and experience would have seen the signs, run the right tests, and determined your child had cystic fibrosis when your doctor failed to do so, it might support a medical malpractice claim.
If doctor negligence allowed your child’s cystic fibrosis to go untreated, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible party. This could allow your family to recover compensation for your medical treatment costs, lifetime care costs, lost income from your time away from work, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
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Speak to a Member of Our Team About Your Case
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group helps families nationwide in cystic fibrosis medical malpractice lawsuits. If you believe a doctor failed to diagnose your child’s cystic fibrosis, or if a doctor made an error in your genetic testing before your delivery that allowed your child to be born with cystic fibrosis, we may be able to represent you.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 for a free case review with a member of our team. If you qualify, we can offer to handle your case on a contingency-fee basis, where you do not pay our attorney fees unless and until you recover compensation in a settlement offer or court award.
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