What is Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. At present, there is no cure.
4,513
Canadians with cystic fibrosis
35%
Children
65%
Adults
It is estimated that one in every 3,848 children born in Canada has CF. More than 4,500 Canadian children, adolescents, and adults with cystic fibrosis attend specialized CF clinics.
CF causes various effects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. The degree of cystic fibrosis severity differs from person to person, however, the persistence of ongoing infection in the lungs causing destruction of the lungs and loss of lung function, will eventually lead to death in the majority of people with CF.
Typical complications caused by cystic fibrosis are:
- Difficulty digesting fats and proteins
- Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies because of inability to absorb nutrients
- Progressive lung damage from chronic infections and aberrant inflammation
- CF related diabetes
- Sinus infections
15,401
Clinic Visits
8,962
Hospital Days
3,597
Home IV Days
13
Organ Transplants
Info above credited to the 2023 Highlights from the Canadian CF Registry
