Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives:
To understand the general characteristics of students with cystic fibrosis

Identify the implications of teaching students with cystic fibrosis

Identify the resources available to parents

What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)? Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease that affects the lungs and the digestive system such as the liver, pancreas, intestines; it can also affect sex organs

Did you know? Approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. have Cystic Fibrosis; while 6 million are carriers.

These are the most common organs affected by Cystic Fibrosis

Did you know? In the 1950s children with cystic fibrosis did not live to attend elementary school

The Respiratory Symptoms associated with Cystic Fibrosis are:

Repeated lung infections: Due to the build up of thick sticky mucus; which makes it easy for bacteria to grow. Repeated sinus infections: This thick mucus blocks the airways in the body such as the nose; this leads to sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Shortness of breath: Because of the build up, the person with CF may not be able to breath properly.

Chronic cough
These infections can cause long term damage to the lungs. Did you know? In 2010 the FDA approved a new inhaled antibiotic Cayston; which helps recurrent lung infections

Here you can differentiate between the airway without CF and with CF

The Digestive Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis are:

The mucus build up also blocks tubes in other parts of the body that lead to important organs, such as the pancreas. This prevents the body from obtaining enzymes, causing the symptoms below:
Large foul-smelling stools Diarrhea Poor weight gain Poor growth

Did you know? Cystic Fibrosis is more common in Caucasians, affecting 1 in 3,000 newborns

Symptoms related to the Reproductive System

Women with CF may have trouble getting pregnant because of mucus blocking the cervix. See picture to the right.

Men with CF may be infertile because some are born without the vas deferens; which is the duct that carries semen to the penis. See picture to the left.

How do you get Cystic Fibrosis

This disease is inherited. A child must receive two cystic fibrosis genes from each parent to develop the disease; if only one is passed on then the child is called a carrier.

Did you know? There is no way to prevent cystic fibrosis.

Teachers can help by:

Having knowledge of the students Health Support Plan. Teaching the classroom about inclusiveness Maintaining a clean classroom Regularly communicating with parents about the students success and development Allowing frequent trips to the bathroom Being available for one-one time with the student due to frequent absences Being familiar with the students IEP

Support for Cystic Fibrosis patients and families can be found in the below sites:
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation National Headquarters 6931 Arlington Rd, 2nd Floor, Bethesda MD 20814 www.cff.org Phone: 1(800) FIGHT CF (1800-344-4823) Genetic Alliance 4301 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 404

Washington, DC 20008
www.geneticalliance.org Phone: (202) 966-5557

How do you get cystic fibrosis?... By:

a)Kissing
b)Hugging c)Inheritance d)A bad cold

Yes! You are correct, the answer is C. By inheritance

Lets Be Mindful of Others

I hope you enjoyed learning about cystic fibrosis. It is always difficult having students with special needs in our classroom and around us. Lets always be mindful of the people around us. Make everyone feel included whether you know they are a special needs student or not. Thank YOU!

References
Colen, B. (2012).Big advance against cystic fibrosis. Harvard Gazette.Retrieved from http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/ story/2012/04/big-advanceagainst- cystic-fibrosis/ "Cystic fibrosis." Edward Rosick, DO, MPH, MS. and Monique Laberge, PhD. The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 4 vol

Doull, I. J. M. (2001). Recent advances in cystic fibrosis. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 85(1), 62-6. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aacc.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/d ocview/196840544?accountid=40680