CF vs RAD

[Dorothy55]

What would be the difference in a chest x-ray of early cystic fibrosis vs reactive airway.

Background: My oldest daughter died of CF 8 years ago. Her younger sister is a known carrier & her husband has never been tested. Their daughter's newborn screen was negative. The baby is now 1 y.o. and has had frequent upper respiratory infections & ear infections. Frequent non-productive cough. Recent CXR showed a "thickening" of the lungs. My daughter is a respiratory therapist & thinks this is more indicative of CF rather than RAD? Is this correct? Is it possible the newborn screen missed the CF? My daughter's defective gene in delta F 508. If the baby had this gene & a gene from Dad that is less common for CF would it show up on the newborn screen?  

[National Jewish Health]

A chest x-ray may show bronchial wall thickening with either disease but the estimation of such thickening is semi-quantitative at best.  CT scanning of the lungs is much more sensitive.  One should not reach any conclusions about the diagnosis of asthma or cystic fibrosis (CF), on the basis of equivocal chest x-ray findings.  Genetic testing is reliable but there is variability in the number of genes tested for from one laboratory to another, and thus it is conceivable that she may have an undetected CF gene, from her father.

She may have CF or asthma, both or neither and it behooves you and her doctor to have this clarified by a pediatric pulmonologist, preferably one with a special interest in CF.

You would be able to get a much more definitive answer to your question from any well-established, university medical center CF clinic doctor.  I strongly suggest that you ask your granddaughter’s pediatrician for referral to a CF clinic.  Everyone in your family will be less anxious, if you can get expert advice.

Good luck.

[alohacarrie]

Have the sweat test repeated.  I would definitely pay close attention to diet.  Food Matters!  I've been a respiratory therapist for 23 years and worked in pediatric intensive care for half of that time.  If I can be of any support, please just let me know.  This is a very difficult and scary time for your family, I'm sure.  Many blessings to you and yours.